A New Sleeker, Sexier & Sophisticated Ford is Here!
July 13th, 2012 by ChristenAs a fan of fly, fancy & sophisticated vehicles on the road – I have a bit of a admiration that goes a little “further” than the Ford you may know and love. Recently, I got the opportunity to experience Ford’s multicultural marketing at work — from the red carpet to community events with the Essence Music Festival. While each experience was unique, they both focused on the same type of consumer, the hard working, get-it-done, Divas Drive In Heels type of gal. From my experiences driving the 2013 Ford Taurus & Ford Escape in New Orleans to checking out the sleek & sophisticated 2013 Ford Fusion in Los Angeles – these aren’t your grandpappy’s Fords. Check out what some of your favorite celebrities had to say about the new look of Ford & the 2013 Ford Escape Giveaway on BET below…
The Brand New 2013 Escape hosts the Red Carpet Pre-Show at the BET Awards. Don’t miss this year’s celebrity arrivals and fashion. Watch it here!
I’ve had so much fun experiencing the new lines of Fords coming to a showroom near you soon. Stay tuned for the Divas Drive In Heels: Ford Edition series where we’ll put each vehicle to the test & let you know which one is best for you!
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- 2013 Ford Escape
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- 2013 Ford Fusion
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- 2013 Ford Taurus
BET Awards Red Carpet Trends: Brights, Whites & Blues
July 2nd, 2012 by Fashion StaffThe 2012 BET Awards has come and gone, and while in the midst of all the action within the #FordHotSpot – we finally got a chance to relive all the fabulous fashions & trends seen inside & outside the show. Plenty of bright colors, patterns, summertime whites & blues graced the red carpet (many of these patriotic trend colors are just in time for the 4th of July). Check out a few of our favorite and not so flattering trends seen on the BET Awards red carpet below…
Brights: There were bright & bold colors seen throughout the BET Awards and the red carpet was no exception. BET ‘Best Gospel Album’ Winner Yolanda Adams wore a stunning, floor length gown in red while “Let’s Stay Together’ actress Erica Hubbard wore a short coral number, just right for summertime red carpet fun.
Brights, Camera, Action! Who stood out in these bright looks best? Yolanda Adams or Erica Hubbard?
Summer Time Whites: Now that the summer is officially here (no, for real this time.) White is in full season! How you pair white on white is up to you. Are you feeling Dawn Richard’s full length gown or do you prefer Eva’s short take on this white hot mini dress? Swizz Beats gives you a ventilated look on top with a splash of color on the bottom, while Jermaine Dupri serves southern country club meets red carpet swag. Check out these few takes on whites for the ladies & fellas in attendance of last night’s BET Awards & sound off below, on who owned the white haute look best.
Who worked it in white? Eva or Dawn?
The guys left the white tees at home, and still managed not to shy away from whites this season…
Two different takes on Summer Whites? Which do you like?
Blues: A few standout bursts of blue made their way onto the red carpet, from BET’s ‘The Game’ Actor Hosea Chanchez and DivasandDorks.com’s Christen Rochon chose bright blues for their red carpet appearances.
Blues Clues…Bright blue hues ruled the BET Awards Red Carpet…
Patterns: Who says patterns aren’t for red carpets? Here are two unique takes on patterns by Model Selita Ebanks and R&B singer Elle Varner…
Here are a few looks from the red carpet that we weren’t quite feeling…
Laurie Ann Gibson
Porscha Coleman
Miguel
What did you think of the BET Awards Red Carpet Fashions? Which of these looks stood out to you?
#FordHotSpot Live Streaming Action At The #BetAwards
July 1st, 2012 by Christen
I’m here at the #BetAwards blogging LIVE from backstage at the Shrine Auditorium.
Check out the live streaming celebrity interviews, photos and more — and feel free to ask questions via the #FordHotSpot & #BetAwards hashtag and I may ask your favorite celebrity YOUR question!
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE BET #FORDHOTSPOT ACTION BELOW:
HERE ARE ALL THE BET AWARDS LIVE PERFORMANCES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:
Get In The Heat Of The BET Awards Action With The #FordHotSpot
June 30th, 2012 by Fashion StaffThe 2012 BET Awards weekend is finally here and with it Los Angeles is buzzing with drama and excitement! Just when viewers thought their anticipation for watching the BET Awards 12 couldn’t get any higher, Ford decides to give them the opportunity to enter to win a brand new vehicle – in this case, the all-new Ford Escape and $1,000. Ford is giving viewers of the BET Awards 12 the chance to win the keys to the Escape as part of the “Brand New Escape Sweepstakes.” The winner will be announced live during the BET Awards PRE-SHOW: LIVE, RED & READY, which kicks off at 6 p.m. EDT this Sunday, July 1.
The Ford Hot Spot – Where BET Entertainment and the 2013 Ford Fusion intersect
Ford Hot Spot, the exclusive backstage area where top entertainment bloggers and media will gather to blog and tweet about rehearsals and the BET Awards 12. The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion will help set the stage as TV personality/model Toccara Jones and actor Boris Kodjoe serve as exclusive hosts throughout the weekend interacting with all of the talent while securing some of behind-the-scenes buzz for this year’s awards show.
Host @IamToccara interviews Pleasure P in the #FordHotSpot (photo via @IamToccara)
2013 Ford Fusion
Join DivasandDorks for all the behind the scenes excitement as it unfolds in Los Angles at The BET Awards! Tweet all your favorite celebrities that’ll be in attendance (including Beyonce, Jay Z and more!) with the BET Awards Tweet Cheat Sheet below. See ya on the red carpet!!!
The BET Awards Goes Digital With A New Smartphone App!
June 27th, 2012 by ChristenAfter taking home the Android “2011 Best App Ever” award for its 106 & Park app, BET Networks has released its BET Awards ’12 app — a fun, interactive way to view and participate in this year’s awards ceremony. The 12th Annual BET Awards ceremony airs July 1, and fans and celebrities are already preparing for the broadcast with the show’s first-ever mobile app. The app for Android and iPhone was released this month and features gaming elements tied to voting for the show’s nominees and predicting the order of performers.
One game lets users vote with the slide of a finger, by shooting disks into a moving goal. The more disks a user makes in 15 seconds, the more votes he or she will tally for a specific nominee. The high scorers for each nominee will have their Twitter avatars and handles featured in the game’s top-left corner for all users to see.
“Our audience really loves the prospect of being famous, so that’s a theme we think about a lot when we develop new products,” Brandon Lucas, BET’s VP of mobile.
The Line-Up, is a fantasy sports-style game. Users can predict the order of the award show’s performers, compare their lists with friends and celebrities as well as look at it during the broadcast to see if they’ve won any prizes. Both games allow players to share their scores and line-ups to Facebook and Twitter.
The app also includes a clickable timeline of every BET Awards, videos of memorable moments (like the infamous Viewer’s Choice SNAFU from last year), in-depth artist profiles and curated tweets.
“Our main goals in doing this app were to deepen our viewers’ connection to the show and to give them more reasons to tune into the live broadcast,” Lucas says.
Tune into BET Awards ’12 LIVE ON BET on Sunday, July 1 at 7P/6C! (Red carpet and pre-show start at 7P/6C).
If you’re a fan of the show, like we are! Make sure you get interactive during the show that’s too big to miss by downloading the app here & tweeting with us LIVE from the #FordHotSpot all weekend long in Los Angeles, CA.
SPOTTED: MJB in Herve Leger
June 28th, 2011 by ChristenMary J. Blige kicked off the BET Awards in grand fashion singing a melody of hits and even a duet with Anita Baker. ?But the hi-note of the evening came when Ms. MJB walked backstage in a sexy Herve Leger Bandage dress! Max Azria infused metal links into the Herve Leger signature bandage. Houndstooth found itself growing and shrinking on alternating strips easily making this one of the best dresses (not on the red carpet). Corsetry was pronounced in both leather and stretch, and linked cutouts made?the silhouette sleek and sexy. Who knew?houndstooth could be so sexy!
From the runway to the BET Awards…and maybe coming to a White Party near you soon…
LIVE Updates – BET Awards 2011
June 26th, 2011 by Christen
Hey guys – I’m reporting live from the BET Awards here at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Check out the Ford Social Media Lounge, LIVE @DIVASANDDORKS tweets and the #BETAwards hashtag for the latest news, interviews and backstage excitement.
SEE WHAT TWITTER HAS TO SAY…
FULL RECAP:
The hilarious Kevin Hart kept the crowd laughing out loud as a Hollywood House Husband during the BET AWARDS ’11 opening act with Bobby Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Anthony Anderson, Nelly, and Nick Cannon. Chris Brown’s powerful performance medley of “She Ain’t You,” “Look at Me Now,” and “Paper Scissor Rock” illustrated just why he was named the 2011 Best Male R&B Artist, Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award winner when he took to the stage in two performances collaborating with Busta Rhymes and Big Sean. Later, a precocious Justin Bieber propositioned Nicki Minaj on stage when he said, “I’m all grown up now. I turn 18 next year so…what’s up?”
Legendary songstress and diva extraordinaire Patti LaBelle was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award and her tribute was a performance unlike anything ever seen before. Beginning with a special introduction from another musical icon, Gladys Knight, Cee Lo Green took to the stage in a throwback Patti LaBelle costume performing “Somebody Loves You Baby,” while Marsha Ambrosius jazzed up the room with her spot on rendition of “If Only You Knew,” before the great Shirley Caesar took the crowd—and Patti LaBelle—to tears singing “You Are My Friend.” But it was Patti herself that brought the house down performing two of her greatest hits, “Love, Need and Want You” and “Lady Marmalade.” Steve Harvey uplifted the audience in his acceptance speech for his Humanitarian Award.
The cast of the Five Heartbeats movie surprised the audience with a reunited performance with R&B crooners After 7 with the famous hit, “Nights Like This,” for the 20-year anniversary of the film. The beautiful Kerry Washington graced the stage for BET’s Shine A Light moment to honor individuals who make the world a better place for young people.
Celebrating the 10-year Anniversary of her first album, Songs In A Minor, Alicia Keys graced the BET AWARDS ’11 stage for a medley of her hits with Bruno Mars and Rick Ross as well as for the world premiere her latest song, “Typewriter.”
Additional highlights of the 14 performances include: Trey Songz sexy, shirt-ripping rendition of “Making Love Faces” and “Unusual,” and was later joined by Kelly Rowland to perform her smash hit, “Motivation,” Donnie McClurkin, Deitrick Haddon and Mary Mary uplifted the audience with their rendition of the gospel hit, “Thank You Lord,” in tribute to the late Walter Hawkins; Mary J. Blige, Anita Baker, DJ Khaled, and Jadakiss kicked off the show with a monumental mix of hits “All Night Long,” “Joy,” “Happy,” Dreams,” “Real Love,” “Rapture,” and “Over Til It’s Over”; Jill Scott performed a soulful rendition of “Rolling Hills” with actor and DJ Idris Elba; DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Drake and Lil’ Wayne amped the crowd performing “I’m the One”; and Beyonce “emailed BET a Pre-recorded performance” singing “Best Thing I Never Had” and “End of Time” via live telecast from Britain’s Glastonbury Festival.
This year’s In Memoriam tribute celebrated the lives of Cali Swag District member M-Bone, Clarence Clemons, Teena Marie, Gil Scott Heron and Nate Dogg with performances and appearances by Doug E. Fresh and Cali Swag District, Queen Latifah, Ledisi, Scott Mayo, Snoop Dogg and Warren G.
In continuing the good that BET’s S.O.S.: Saving Ourselves initiative has made over the years, the BET AWARDS ’11 contained a special moment to show support for the victims of the tornadoes in the Southeast through a special message from Rev. Al Sharpton.
We all remember the most OMG moment of the BET Award show night. Tiffany Green – A fan tonight on the BET Awards mixed up Rihanna and Drake for the Viewer’s Choice award, when it was indeed Chris Brown. The audience was in complete shock. BET executive Stephen G. Hill admitted to being the “human” error and apologized.
The award was initially presented on stage by Tiffany Green, a contest winner. Reading from an HTC Evo View 4G tablet, which all presenters used to announce winners, Green first declared Chris Brown the winner, then quickly backpeddled and said the award went to Rihanna.
Terrence J, who was also on stage, then presented the award to Drake, only to have show host Kevin Hart give the award back to Brown at the end of the broadcast. – AWKWARD…
Green explained on Twitter that the tablet had said Chris Brown, but the teleprompter had said Rihanna, hence the on-stage change up (and Drake in turn accepting the award for the song he collaborated with Rihanna on, which seemed to confuse Jenkins). The AP captures the series of events in this video:
In addition to all of these OMG moments, the full list of BET AWARDS ’11 winners are:
Best Female R&B Artist: Rihanna
Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown
Best Group: Diddy-Dirty Money
Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Kanye West
Best New Artist: Wiz Khalifa
Best Collaboration: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes “Look At Me Now”
Video of the Year: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes “Look At Me Now”
Video Director of the Year: Chris Robinson
Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
Best Actor: Idris Elba
Young Stars Award: Jaden Smith and Willow Smith
Best Movie: For Colored Girls
Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Serena Williams
Subway Sportsman of the Year: Michael Vick
Centric Award: Marsha Ambrosius “Far Away”
Best International Act: 2Face Idibia (Nigeria) and D’Banj (Nigeria)
Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award: Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at me Now”
Humanitarian Award: Steve Harvey
Lifetime Achievement Award: Patti LaBelle
BET Awards ’11 Tech Replacement…
June 20th, 2011 by ChristenThis year’s BET Awards will be filled with the usual variety of Hip Hop Superstars, R&B Phenomena’s and A-List Actors – but one thing will be noticeably absent and replaced. The HTC EVO View 4G from Sprint will replace traditional envelopes during each of the BET Awards winner announcement. Viewers will witness this tablet in action for the first time, during it’s product launch weekend.
As previously announced, actor and comedian Kevin Hart will host the BET Awards ’11 with performances by Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Drake, Jill Scott and Lil Wayne.
For more than a decade, the BET AWARDS has reigned as the biggest family event rivaling all top awards shows. Having escalated each year in industry influence with A-list celebrity nominations, star-studded appearances and on-of-a-kind performances, the BET AWARDS has undoubtedly established itself as the gold standard in creating memorable moments year after year. The highly-anticipated event airs live, Sunday, June 26 at 8pm from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA and is guaranteed to be the hottest ticket on television.
Divas and Dorks will be live from the red carpet and the Ford Social Media Lounge giving you the all the HTC gadget & entertainment scoop from backstage before it hits your TV screens.
BET Awards Are Back!
May 18th, 2011 by Christen
The nominations are out! Some are happy about the selection while others are CLEARLY not. Honestly, I’m indefferent about the nominees, especially since it’s been an “extremist” year (by extremist, I mean 9 times out of 10 you already know who’s going to win the award – based on their media popularity and pop culture takeover.) I am, however, looking forward to covering the 2011 BET Awards again, LIVE from LA June 26th – last year, the BET Blogger Suite was posh! (Did you miss 2010 BET Awards? Check out last year’s coverage HERE)
Hosted by Kevin Hart, this year’s BET Awards standouts includes Chris Brown leading with 6 nominations, Lil Wayne received 5 and Kanye West, Rihanna and Drake tie with 4 a nominations a piece. Cee Lo Green and Bruno Mars Go Head-to-head for Best Male R&B Artist along with Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Usher…(my vote is Chris Brown on this one!)
And the BET Awards 2011 nominees are: (My Winner Picks in *bold*)
Disclaimer: I am by no means a music blogger, but I do know entertainment and my 10+ years in radio kinda gives me a “heads up” on what’s going to happen.
Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé (who may actually show up this time since she’s promoting her new album…)
Marsha Ambrosius
Keri Hilson
Jennifer Hudson
Rihanna
Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross (I think they’re actually going to give it to the big guy this time, he had an incredible year.)
Kanye West
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Nicki Minaj (*By process of elimination, and choosing the lesser of four evils…)
Diamond (*BBM Confused face*)
Cymphonique (Um, who is she?)
LoLa Monroe (The VIDEO VIXEN?!?!?)
Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown (*Several BET Specials and tear-jerking performance, his WIN will be the comeback story of the year…I wouldn’t be surprised if Rhianna even showed up too.)
Cee Lo Green
Bruno Mars
Trey Songz
Usher
Best Group
Diddy-Dirty Money (*I have to admit, this is one of my favorite albums right now…)
Cali Swag District
N.E.R.D.
New Boyz
Travis Porter
Best Collaboration
B.o.B f/ Hayley Williams – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Chris Brown – “Look at Me Now” (*See Best Male R&B commentary for explanation.)
Chris Brown f/ Tyga & Kevin McCall – “Deuces”
Waka Flocka Flame f/ Roscoe Dash & Wale – “No Hands”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name?”
Kanye West f/ Rihanna – “All of the Lights”
Video of the Year
Marsha Ambrosius – “Far Away”
B.o.B f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Keri Hilson – “Pretty Girl Rock”
Willow Smith – “Whip My Hair”
Kanye West f/ Pusha T – “Runaway”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Mr. Boomtown
Chris Robinson
Kanye West
Hype Williams (*He still wears me out with all the hallucinogenic colors in all his videos.*)
Best New Artist
J. Cole
Bruno Mars (*Although I feel that Miguel is more deserving, I’ll have to stick by Bruno Mars for this one.)
Miguel
Willow Smith
Wiz Khalifa
Best Gospel
Byron Cage
Deitrick Haddon
Mary Mary (*Have you heard their latest album? Nuff said.)
Karen Clark Sheard
BeBe & CeCe Winans
Best Actress
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana
Kerry Washington
Best Actor
Laz Alonso
Chris Brown
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx
YoungStars Award
Shenell Edmonds
Keke Palmer
Diggy Simmons
Jaden Smith
Willow Smith (*TIE* Cause Will Smith said so…)
Best Movie
Death at a Funeral
For Colored Girls
Takers
The Book of Eli
Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?
Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika CatchingsCandice Dupree
Maya Moore
Serena Williams
Venus Williams
Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Derrick Rose
Michael Vick
Viewer’s Choice Award
Chris Brown f/ Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look at Me Now”
Lil Wayne f/ Cory Gunz – “6 Foot 7 Foot”
Mindless Behavior – “My Girl”
Nicki Minaj f/ Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
Rihanna f/ Drake – “What’s My Name?”
Trey Songz f/ Nicki Minaj – “Bottoms Up”
Centric Award
Marsha Ambrosius
Eric Benet
Cee-Lo Green
R. Kelly
Kem
Best International Act: U.K.
VV Brown
Chipmunk
Laura Izibor
Skepta
Tinchy Stryder
Tinie Tempah
Best International Act: Africa
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
D’Banj (Nigeria)
D-Black (Ghana)
Angelique Kidjo (Benin)
Fally Ipupa (Congo DR)
Teargas (South Africa)
How would you like to attend the BET AWARDS 11 in Los Angeles? BET is giving you a chance to win tickets simply by sharing your world with the world! Click HERE for details on how to enter.
Let’s Have a Toast To 2011!!!
December 31st, 2010 by Christen2010 was a great launching year for Divas and Dorks and we have some exciting news to share about what’s to come in 2011.
********** COMING SOON **********
1. Complete coverage at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV!
2. Behind the scenes coverage at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI! (sponsored by Ford)
3. Exclusive updates from the Mercedes-Benz Fall/Spring Fashion Weeks in New York.
4. Music, Lifestyle and Entertainment coverage from SXSW festival in Austin, TX!
5. More celebrity interviews you love from the world of fashion, tech and entertainment.
6. Additional exclusive fashion/product reviews and tips.
7. We’re bringing you more contests & prizes than ever before!
8. BET Awards in Los Angeles, CA!
9. Tech Tantrums from the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, CA!
10. More on the scene video presentations of news, events and more.
11. More ways for you to get involved via Twitter, Facebook and more!
