In Case You Missed It: BET Rip The Runway In Review
March 21st, 2013 by NigelLast night the fashion & entertainment event Rip The Runway aired nationwide on BET. Hosted by Kelly Rowland and Boris Kodjoe the show featured some jaw dropping designs from Rihanna for River Island, MSFTS, Mochino, Shanda Style, Boris’s own line Alfa and more. Accompanying these haute looks were performances from todays hottest artist, Sevyn Streeter, Luke James, Trinidad James and a host of other artists.
Our favorite collection from the show was Rihanna for River Island, which was made up of black maxi garment with high slits, black and white stripes, a vibrant pop of yellow and that notorious double denim piece that had everybody in fashion talking. MSFTS, Lie Sang Bong, and the size sexy segment were also standouts as well.
Image Courtesy: Ebony.com
Our favorite trend throughout Rip The Runway was the high heel gladiator shoe. This trend that was seen on the runways in New York, London, Milan, and Paris came in the forms of Versace and Cesare Pacitto during the show. The well heeled models definitely were a strong point during the show.
Of course BET brought in some of fashion most influential people, including Style Ambassador of InStyle Tia Beauchamp, Blogger Dapper Lou, and Socialite Angela Simmons to help with different Rip The Runway segments throughout the show.
Image Courtesy: bet.com
We want to here your thoughts on this years BET Rip The Runway, did you love the fashion this year or were you disappointed with the runway looks. Did you see any pieces you want to throw in your closets, or did you want to throw it in the garbage, sound off below.
BET’s 9th Annual Rip the Runway Taping With Boris Kodjoe, Kelly Rowland And More!
February 28th, 2013 by Tiffany
Boris Kodjoe and Kelly Rowland
BET has done it again with their ninth annual fashion event, Rip The Runway, filmed Wednesday night at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC! With a sexy venue, two stunning hosts, and a variety of new and popular performers, BET had the perfect recipe for another successful year for Rip The Runway! Following a performance at the Super Bowl and taking over the awards scene with appearances at the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards, superstar Kelly Rowland brought her fashion sense and rising sex appeal to Rip The Runway. Co-host and “Real Husbands of Hollywood” star Boris Kodjoe, added the muscles and just as much sex appeal to bring this year’s show to another level of sexy.
Boris Kodjoe
Boris not only brought his muscles and sexiness, but he also premiered his clothing line, Alfa Male, on the Rip The Runway stage. (This will be his second attempt at a successful line of clothing after he and his younger brother released Ziami in Germany back in 2003 and did a soft release in Atlanta in 2008. You can find more on his clothing line here www.worldofalfa.com).
Between Meek Mills, Jaden Smith, Trinidad James, Omarion, and Luke James BET had the perfect combination of talent and sex appeal, mixed with elite industry models and fresh fashion for the entire studio audience to enjoy. Jaden Smith proved that he is definitely talented and ready to make his mark in this industry as a performer and designer. Be on the look out for his new collection and very special model-sister Willow making an appearance down the catwalk once Rip The Runway airs March 20, 2013 at 8 PM EST.
Jaden Smith talks with BET’s 106 & Park
BET Rip The Runway Red Carpet Arrivals:
- Maybach Music Group’s own Rick Ross
- Meek Mill and Kelly Rowland
- Omarion
- Bria Murphy
- Teyana Taylor with BFF Karrueche Tran.
- Jada Pinkett Smith with son Jaden
- Sibling Bond: Willow and Jaden Smith
Red Carpet Fab And Gems of Wisdom from the BET 2013 Inaugural Ball
January 23rd, 2013 by Lifestyle Staff
Following President Obama’s Inaugural Ceremony and Parade, BET and Centric Networks celebrated in style at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery with dazzling celebs, style influencers, community leaders, and media personalities from across the globe. Live performances included Bell Biv Devoe, Doug E. Fresh, and MC Lyte. It was clear from the reflections on the red carpet that stars from Hollywood to DC heard the President’s message of diversity, equality and inclusion loud and clear.
Having been in DC for the President’s first Inauguration in 2009, Access Hollywood Weekend Anchor Shaun Robinson found this time to be just as thrilling as the last. She was in awe “this incredible man, who has such a wonderful vision for our country,” gets another chance to continue his legacy. She spoke of being inspired by the President’s words of personal responsibility and making sure that we don’t have a glass ceiling.
NAACP President Ben Jealous
NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous remarked that Black women and men, as well as white trade unions, turned out in record numbers—defying expectations—to re-elect Barack Obama. Now he says, it’s time that people of color “internalize that we have the ability to determine who is President and we have the ability to determine the direction for this country.” Both MC Lyte and Tatyana Ali felt the same way. MC Lyte calls on us to be “participatory in the outcomes that affect us” and Tatyana wants young women to realize how powerful we truly are.
MC Lyte
Tatyana Ali
She explained, “Our lives are political. Politics is human interaction. Politics actually works properly when we all get involved, when we’re all included.” Tatyana urges young women to stay engaged and to speak out because we can be a voice to change the minds and perspectives of the people around us. Awurama Simpson, Miss Universe Ghana (2010), and Sandra Nyanchoka, Finalist on America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 12) work with young women globally to promote education and inner beauty. They want for young women to not be afraid to go after their dreams. “Education can take you anywhere and makes anyone who they want to become in life, and makes their dreams possible,” says Simpson.
Awurama Simpson and Sandra Nyanchoka
Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker
Actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, founders of Sophie’s Voice Foundation, a charitable organization serving children and adults affected by the birth defect spina bifida, believe that “it’s important to dispel the myths around Obamacare” during this second term, “for people to really know what the President is offering and what has been put in place to protect and care for people and their families.” Happy parents to two young children, they hope that other families can take the spirit of empowerment, encouragement, and having our destiny in our own hands into the next four years.
Mikki Taylor
Echoing those thoughts was quintessential authority on all matters of beauty and style, Ms. Mikki Taylor. She held the First Lady up as an example that “we don’t have to hope for change, we can be it.” It’s time, she said, for us to “step on stage and own the spot!”
BET Hip Hop Awards 2012: Fellas, Fashion & A Few Tech Fetishes
October 2nd, 2012 by TiffanyBefore the confirmed fights, chain snatchings and melees was the BET Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet interviews. Since the BET Hip Hop Awards took place in none other than the heart of Southern hip hop music, Atlanta, GA. it’s only right that the talent as well as the fashion here is definitely in a league of its own. We hit the red carpet to find out what fashions, trends, and gadgets a few of Hip Hop’s rising stars & celebs just can’t live without!
Diggy says when it comes to fashion he’s an accessories kind of dude. “I like neck wear and bracelets a lot, but definitely love kicks a lot too.” One gadget he can’t leave the house without “My iPhone! I’ll turn around for that.” I just knew Diggy had the iPhone 5, but looks like his schedule hasn’t allowed for it yet. “I’ve been traveling everywhere so much since it came out that I haven’t been able to make it to the AT&T store, but I’m going to get it though.”
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We spoke to Mr. “Snapback and Tattoos” himself, Driicky Graham. To my surprise snapbacks are not his fashion must-haves on a daily basis. “Fox tails and I love Louie V. belts, I got one on right now actually.” He doesn’t have the iPhone 5 yet either, but says he’s still “rocking with Siri on the 4S, so I’m good for now, but I’m definitely going to check out the 5.” He will be one of the many rappers part of the this year’s Cyphers.
Super producer Mr. Bangladesh (left) definitely gets my vote for most interesting style and outlook on technology. The Grammy winning producer has worked with names like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Lil’ Wayne, and his latest project with Brandy. When asked about his fearless style he says– “This is just me, I came out of the womb with {style like} this.” I asked if he was as advanced in technology as he was in fashion and had the iPhone 5? He definitely gave the most interesting answer unlike any other celeb– “No, I’m not into the hustle. One thing about Bang, you’re not going to hustle Bang. Technology is the hustle world. There’s nothing different in the iPhone 5 that they couldn’t have put in the iPhone 4 or the 1. Apple has these smart technicians- you can’t tell me that they didn’t think about making the picture clearer before the next one was created. You know what I’m saying? It’s a hustle. I have the old iPhone not because I wanted it but because I was in the U.K. and they told me I needed it. I’m not for the hustles.”
His newest artist Fast Life (above right) says he prefers to get his clothes from all over the world. ” I got some Balenciaga, Fendi, and vintage Valentino type . But my favorite piece I’d have to say is my gold… I can’t leave the house without my gold.” He has a mixtape coming soon and is striving to be the next big name under Bangladesh Records.
Looks like the iPhone 5 is still on many celeb’s to-do list, while others refuse to be “hustled” by it. So WHO was the first to boast having the iPhone 5 on the red carpet?
Q Parker from the Atlanta based singing group 112 was the first one on the red carpet that could boast of having the newest iPhone.
“I don’t really have a style, I just like to be expressive. I’m not afraid of textures or colors.” That was clear considering he was the only male on the red carpet wearing sequins. “However I feel that’s what I do.” So what does Q look for a lady to have as a part of her style package? –”I don’t really get into that. I just really like for a lady to be confident in whatever she puts on and know that she’s sexy. If she knows it, I know it. Confidence is the whole package.” Ladies take notes!
When I told Q he was the first one I’ve come across with the iPhone 5 he said–”You know a lot of people don’t have it because they’re letting the glitches get out of it. A lot of people have been having problems with the new operating system. Luckily I haven’t had any problems and I love the new iPhone.”
Here are a few more red carpet surprises, show downs, show outs:
Rapper 2 Chainz showed up on the red carpet looking like a bag of skittles, but also like a dad. He brought along his daughter and expecting partner as well. Who would have known he was a family man?
We’re still left to wonder who showed up as the Ninja Turtle squad…
Cash Out and his Chucky doll accessory was the loudest fashion statement on the red carpet by far. This is definitely a red carpet first.
Fans can look forward to another year of Hip Hop greats & hot acts rocking the Atlanta stage next week. Rapper LL Cool J spoke in a tribute to hip-hop manager Chris Lighty, who committed suicide last month behind his Bronx townhouse. Q-Tip, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott and 50 Cent took the stage to perform, as did Rick Ross, P. Diddy, 2 Chainz and Future.
Check out more photos from the Hip Hop Awards red carpet below… You can check out the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards & Performances Tuesday 10/9 at 8P/7C. Only on BET!
DirecTV Subscribers Sing “Hallelujah! The Ratchet Is Back!”
July 20th, 2012 by Christen
If it’s been 10 days since you’ve witness your favorite ratchet programming on VH1, BET or more – then your wait is finally over. Viacom and DirecTV announced this morning that they have reached a deal, putting aside their dispute and allowing programming to return to the airwaves.
The agreement ends a dispute that has interrupted programming since July 10.
Viacom had blacked out channels for 20 million customers of DirecTV (DTV, Fortune 500). Among the channels affected were Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, Spike and VH1.
“It’s unfortunate that Viacom took the channels away from customers to try to gain leverage, but in the end, it’s clear our customers recognized that tactic for what it was,” said Dereck Chang, executive vice president of DirecTV. And by customers, that includes displaced reality TV / New Jersey Nets Blake Griffin…
Viacom was seeking what DirecTV claimed was a 30% boost, or an extra $1 billion, on top of its prior deal. Viacom countered that the hike it sought was just “a couple of pennies per day per subscriber.”
The companies did not provide a dollar figure for the new deal.
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.
BET’s Rip the Runway featuring D&D’s own Cat Peoples!
March 1st, 2012 by Fashion StaffBET’s Rip the Runway fashion show taping took place Wednesday night – February 29 at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. The annual event was hosted by The Game‘s Pooch Hall and Victoria Secret model Selita E. Banks marked the return of The Queen B, Lil Kim as she hit the stage with an unbelievable performance. Estelle, B.O.B., Diggy Simmons, Meek Mill, Wale & Robin Thicke also performed.
Monif C - Featuring Cat Peoples & Robin Thicke Performance
Featuring one of our favorite models, DivasandDorks’ own - Cat Peoples ripped the runway rocking the colorblock trend by designer Monif C. Check out the red carpet arrivals and pics from the show below… BET’s Rip the Runway will air on Wednesday, March 21 at 10/9PM CST on BET.
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- BET Rip The Runway hosts Pooch Hall & Selita Ebanks
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- Blogger Gabi Gregg
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- Model Selita Ebanks
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- Estelle
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- Designer Monif C
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- SFPL Bloggers Ray Holiday and Gabrielle Williams
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- Robin Thicke
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- Lil’ Kim
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- B.O.B
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- Wale
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- Angela Simmons
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- Host Pooch Hall
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- Rapper Meek Mill
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- Emily B
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- Jeremih
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- Diggy Simmons
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- Monif C Runway Collection Feat Cat Peoples
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- Selita Ebanks with Designer LaQuan Smith
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- Selita Ebanks presents SASS by Selita
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- Lil Kim Performs
Oh How We Love ‘Black Girls Rock’!
October 17th, 2011 by WAWA
The award show, Black Girls Rock taped last night in the historic Paradise Theater in Bronx, NY. The Divas and Dorks team had an opportunity to cover the event and experience the STAR power and GIRL power of the night—and it was definitely an amazing time!
There were dozens of powerful women that graced the stage of Black Girl’s Rock last night, and in my opinion one of the most amazing moments was hearing Angela Davis speak. Infamously known for her involvement in the Communist Party, civil rights movement, Black Panther Party and listed on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, she eloquently inspired the crowd with her acceptance speech. The crowd greeted Ms. Davis with clinched fists raised in the air and a round of applause. The revolutionary spoke of being insecure when she saw a young girl wearing a t-shirt of her image—but then later felt empowered by this new generation that looked up to her heroism.
Another acceptance speech to be noted was that of Tatyana Ali. The former, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star wrote a letter to “herself” as a young girl. The letter discussed lessons such as, working hard, taking time to love, listening to her parents and pursuing her education. Annnnnd did any of you divasanddorkers know that Ms. Ali graduated from Harvard University??? Yeah, I didn’t either, but she definitely did, haha!—no joke though.
Now was this before or after her web-series Buppies? *yikes*.
Laurie-Ann was there of course and was a sweetheart in person as much as she was on the show, “Born to Dance”. Gots to love her and all her boom-kack’dness.
Biggest uh-oh of the night was newbie, Elle Varner who lost her footing and fell flat on her behind while performing. The poor child was winded throughout her whole performance and to make matters worse, she fell. The crowd was sympathetic and she received a round of applause, but it was awkward as all get out to watch—especially since she had to perform twice due to the snafu #deepbreath #isitoveryet.
Other yikes of the night included hearing Estelle hit the last note of her performance and enduring the awkwardness of Alek Wek read the teleprompter while delivering an award.
Faves of the night included performances from Erykah, Jill Scott, Mary J, Melanie Fiona, Mary Mary and then watching Regina King and Tracee Ellis Ross’ bloopers and commentary between takes.
Last but not least, a young lady named Dyci Manns was honored last night for her work in creating a program that develops leaders who create solutions to end poverty and help impoverished communities. Dyci won a MAD Girl Award and will be honored on Black Girls Rock as well. Check out her website, www.model26.org and go Dyci! Tune in on Nov 6th on BET to watch all of the amazingness of Black Girls Rock — and tell us why you rock!
Tracee Ellis Ross: Actress & Style Maven Extraordinaire
October 17th, 2011 by Cat Peoples
As a young girl growing up in Detroit, I can remember my mother playing gospel music nonstop, and her attitude would remind me of a typical church going laying on the hands mother. But the minute an oldie but goodie Supremes song would come on, her whole demeanor would change. She became sultry, radiant and elegant. Her shoulders would move very gently up and down and her head would bobble back and forth as she peeped over her shoulder to my dad with a sexy yet bashful grin on her face. This was a look that you would see on any woman’s face if Diana Ross were playing. Just the sound of her voice to a Motown groove would put you in a mellow mood. The style of Diana Ross was pure elegance and her sense of style was no different: Radiant, Classic, and Regal. She was who every man wanted to be with and whom every woman wanted to be like.
Nearly five decades later, her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross evokes, if not exact, similar qualities of her mom.
The new “It” girl of Hollywood is the star and producer of BET’s new hit show Reed Between the Lines, a half-hour comedy about a happily married couple living an upper middle-class life in suburban New York City with their three children. Pegged as the new millennium ‘Cosby Show’ – Tracee has shared in countless interviews on how she’s ecstatic to be compared with black America’s favorite mom – Claire Huxtabule. With style and genes infused by her real-life mom Diana Ross, Tracee has come from behind her mother’s shadow to create a style of her own.
Not only is Tracee a phenomenal actor, but her sense of style has not gone unnoticed over the years. From red carpets to photoshoots, magazine covers and more – Tracee is a style trailblazer that has not influenced fashion, but the entire ‘natural hair’ movement as well.
Clean and classic with a little flare would best describe her style, which is somewhat subdued in comparison to her mother. Although Tracee has a style of her own, and is not the as glamorous-glamazon as her mom, we here at D&D couldn’t help but to compare the many styles of the Mother/Daughter duo as we can’t wait to see what she’ll be wearing next.
Tune into Tracee Ellis Ross on ‘Reed Between The Lines’, Tuesdays at 10pm only on BET.
BET’s ‘Reed Between The Lines’ Premiere (Sneak Peek)
October 11th, 2011 by Christen
What do you get when you combine the trials and comedic experiences of a professional married couple with three hilarious kids on BET? A great night of family-friendly entertainment! Say hello to an exciting new era of scripted television – BET’s ‘Reed Between The Lines’. Starring (and Executive Produced by) Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross – ‘Reed Between The Lines’ is a very well written sitcom expected to change the face of television.
Primetime’s new dynamic-duo, Malcolm-Jamal Warner of Cosby Show fame and Tracee Ellis Ross, formerly of Girlfriends, will be starring in BET’s highly anticipated new series Reed Between the Lines. The sitcom is being called a modern-day Cosby Show, since both of the lead characters are successful professionals who are struggling to build careers while keeping their contemporary blended family on track. The show is expected to bring back the family values-style of programming cherished by fans of The Cosby Show and other shows from yesteryear — values that producers of the show believe will resonate with BET’s audience.
The scoop: Alex (Malcolm-Jamal Warner) is an English professor at NYU, specializing in twentieth-century American literature. Alex is also a neat freak who loves sports, cooking and fine wines. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, he was the first of his blue-collar family to go to college, which is an accomplishment he doesn’t take for granted. Dr. Carla Reed (Tracee Ellis Ross) is a highly successful psychologist who works hard to balance her family and career. She grew up in a solid, middle class family that valued stability and education. But her perfect world fell apart while she was in college at Howard University; it was then that she found out her father had a secret family.
Alex attended Howard University as an undergrad, where he and Carla were casual acquaintances until they reconnected years later at a mutual friend’s wedding. They began dating shortly thereafter and the rest is history. He loves Carla with all of his heart, and he has accepted her twins Keenan and Kaci from a previous marriage as his own.
Alex recently chose to leave the classroom at NYU to work from home as an online professor and home-school their daughter Alexis, so that Carla can focus on expanding her psychology practice.
Sounds interesting? The D&D team had a blast at the ‘Reed Between The Lines Premiere’ in NYC last night and can assure you, if you loved shows like, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, “Family Matters” and ‘The Cosby Show’ – or still watch reruns of “The Game” and “Girlfriends” – YOU’LL LOVE THIS SHOW!
Check out photos from the ‘Reed Between The Lines’ NYC Premiere event below:
Viacom CEO Philippe Daumon and BET CEO Debra Lee.
The adorable “Reed” kids from ‘Reed Between The Lines’
Executive Producer and Co Star of ‘Reed Between The Lines’ Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
Executive Producer and Co Star of ‘Reed Between The Lines’ Tracee Ellis Ross
Reed Between the Lines premieres October 11 10P/9C, only on BET.
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