The Queen of Hip Hop Soul is going classic rock! Mary J. Blige is just one of the big names starring in the upcoming film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, Rock of Ages.

In the film MJB plays club owner Justice Charlier, and takes on Journey’s 1980 hit, “Any Way You Want It.”

Rock of Ages: The Musical opened on Broadway in 2009, and tells the story of a waitress who falls in love with a busboy who fall in love during the pop metal era of the 1980s. The show, like the movie features music from famed rock acts, Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe.

Directed by Adam Shankman, the film also stars Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise, Catherine Zeta Jones, Alec Baldwin and Russell Brand.

Rock of Ages hits theaters nationwide June 15.

Chances are you are a card-toting member of the I-don’t-go-anywhere-near-water-because-I-can’t-get-my-hair-wet club. But, Christian Louboutin’s neoprene ankle boots will sho’ nuff help you make a splash this summer with hair intact.

The yellow neoprene, which is traditionally used for scuba gear, is artfully trimmed with white patent leather and offset by a neon pink 4.5 inch heel. ‘

Try wearing these with a complimentary printed dress, or a slim tailored pair of cargo pants and a great blouse or tank top.

$895, available online at Net-a-porter.com

(New York, NY) What’s a company to do when they reach five million “likes” on Facebook? Apparently, throw a huge party. Samsung recently reached the notable social media milestone, and rewarded 1,000 fans with a special free concert featuring Santigold at Irving Plaza.

The singer performed songs off her latest album, Master of My Make-Believe, and took photos of the crowd with her Samsung Galaxy Note (naturally).

The evening’s highlight was a surprise appearance from Pharrell Williams and Saturday Night Live’s Andy Samberg, both of whom joined Santigold on stage.

The year is 1993, I was a young boy a few years away from puberty, and I was addicted to The Real World: Los Angeles. While I didn’t understand half of the story lines—one roommate was staunchly pro-choice (later learned they were speaking of abortions), one roommate was a recovering alcoholic and a lesbian, another was virgin—I visually connected with a beautiful twenty-something young black woman from New York. Her name was Tamisha “Tami” Roman.

Tami to me represented the quintessential around the way girl. She was glamorous, energetic, focused, determined, and dealing with life one issue at a time—basically she was fly as hell. She sang (remember her group, Reality?), she worked out, she worked with AIDS patients, and when she laughed you knew it was from a place of honesty—yet to be jaded by a troubled marriage to a womanizing NBA star, sexual abuse, and violations of personal space. She was THAT chick. Or at least the editors at MTV made her seem as such. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you remember when sex was the last thing you wanted talk about? You were probably in your awkward I’m-heading-into-puberty pre-teen phase. But now, things have changed. Those awkward giggles of apprehension have now evolved into giggles of understanding and anticipation. That turned up nose, and resounding “I DON’T DO THAT,” has turned into a cheeky smile and a confident “You haven’t tried that yet?” But even as the idea of sex doesn’t make you squeamish in your adulthood, the truth is not everyone is as open about conversing about sex as they should be—their wants, needs and desires.

Do you realize, there are couples who do not talk about sex like they REALLY should? Ladies, do you tell your man when he isn’t hitting the right spot or is lacking the emotional depth you need? Fellas, do you share with your lady your inner fantasies—you know the really freaky ones? If you’re like many men and women, you answered ‘No.’ Why did you answer ‘No’? Because of fear. But that very same fear can lead your man to fulfill his fantasies elsewhere, and your lady to find the emotional support she needs in another man. But that doesn’t have to be.

If couples actively communicated about bedroom relations, the frequency of infidelity would be reduced. Because let’s face it, most couples break-up and divorce over matters surrounding money and sex. If you say you trust your partner, doesn’t that trust extend to you being able to openly discuss any and everything, not matter how big or small? Read the rest of this entry »

(New York, NY) Proving she’s more than just the wife of one of the music industry’s biggest executives, Erica Reid, wife of Antonio “L.A.” Reid, celebrated the release her first book, The Thriving Child, with a party hosted by her husband.

Held at the couple’s private residence, the exclusive event attracted a slew of the couple’s colleagues and celebrity friends including Beyonce Knowles, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Tina Knowles, and Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan of the pop duo Karmin.

The evening’s festivities were marked by a performance by new singer Kandace Springs, who serenaded the audience with a short set.

The Thriving Child, serves as guide for parenting children through asthma, allergies, and other common challenges. It also serves as a how-to for creating healthier environments for your children.

The mother of two, also enlisted help from expert doctors and first hand stories from other celebrity moms—Holly Robinson-Peete, Ricki Lake, and Melissa Etheridge among them.

The Thriving Child is available online and in bookstores now.

Beyonce in feathers. Solange beamed in canary yellow. Rihanna went backless, and Janelle Monae ditched the tuxedo—ah, just a few fashion highlights from the Costume Institute’s annual gala held at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

This year’s event celebrated the opening of the museum’s new exhibit, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.”

Other celebrities in attendance included, singer, Alicia Keys; music producer, Swizz Beatz; singer, Bruno Mars; rapper, Kanye West; actress, Rosario Dawson; actress, Rashida Jones; fashion designer, Rachel Roy; noted chef Marcus Samuelsson; actress, Sophia Vergara; singer, Rohan Marley; NBA star, Amar’e Stoudemire; and models, Chanel Iman and Joan Smalls.

Centric’s Best Dressed Of The Night:

1. Marcus Samuelsson and Maya Haile
2. Solange Knowles
3. Kanye West
4. Chanel Iman
5. Beyonce Knowles

For nearly eight decades, the Apollo Theater has served as a launch pad for a series of successful entertainers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, James Brown, The Jackson 5, The Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross, and Lauryn Hill. Now you can become apart of that legacy!

Executive producers Jamie Foxx, Marcus King, and Don Weiner have put a fresh spin on the classic “Amateur Night” variety show, enlisting veteran emcee Doug E. Fresh, and New Edition’s Michael Bivins to serve as judges, while comedian Tony Rock has been named the host.

Auditions for the show kicked off in New York at the famed theater on May 5, and now dates in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Atlanta have officially been announced.

Are you the next Apollo legend?

Apollo Live is set to air Centric this Fall .

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tuesday, May 8^th and Wednesday, May 9^th
THEARC
1901 Mississippi Ave. SE, Suite 101,
Washington, D.C. 20020
12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m.

CHICAGO
Friday, May 11^th and Saturday, May 12^th
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 606111
12:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. (on 5/11)
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (on 5/12)

ATLANTA
Saturday, May 19^th and Sunday, May 20^th
Center Stage
1374 West Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Contestants should log on to BET.com/Apollo for a complete set of the rules and eligibility requirements.

For up-to-the-minute information, follow us on Twitter @CentricTV.

Last Night [May 2] Producer Swizz Beatz hosted the Bronx Charter School for the Arts‘ 4th Annual Art Auction event at New York City’s swanky Marquee nightclub, raising over $100,000 for Bronx Arts’ arts and academic programs

The event included both silent and live auctions featuring original art work by students of the school; and the presentation of 20 new ESP electric/acoustic guitars, donated to the school by the Traveling Guitar Foundation.

Celebrities who attended the event included Beatz’ wife, singer, Alicia Keys; rappers, Rick Ross, Big Sean and French Montana; TV personality and actress, La La Vasquez; NBA Knicks star, Carmelo Anthony; BET’s 106 & Park host, Rocsi Diaz; singer, Melanie Fiona; and New York Giants players, Jason Pierre Paul and Terrell Thomas.

Funds raised at the event will support the South Bronx school’s academic intervention programs—which provide additional support for struggling learners—and enrichment programs, such as the Bronx Arts Band and Dance Team.

To make a donation to Bronx Charter School for the Arts, please visit www.bronxarts.net.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Managing your blood pressure is one of the most important things you can do to help reduce your chances of suffering from a stroke. May marks Stroke Awareness Month, and the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association are promoting education and preventative steps among men and women.

1. Family History
If  your parents or a close blood relative have suffered from high blood pressure in the past, it puts you at risk as well. Do some genealogy research (aka: ask around) and learn about your family’s health history

2. Gender Related Risk Patterns
According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, men tend to have a higher percentage of high blood pressure than women until age 45. Between ages 45 to 50 and 55 to 64, the percentages between men and women with high blood pressure are similar. After age 64, women have a much higher percentage of high blood pressure than men.

3. Lack of Physical Activity
Show your heart some gratitude and exercise! Physical activity can prolong your life, and make you feel and look great.

4. Poor Eating Habits
It’s time to say goodbye to the fried chicken and revamp your eating habits. If you’re one to cover your food with salt, STOP THAT! Salt keeps excess fluid in the body that creates a burden on the heart’s functions. This is a contributing factor to high blood pressure. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recommends that you keep your sodium intake to less than 1500 mg per day.

5. Weight
Knowing the deal weight for your height could help save your life and lower your risk for high blood pressure. Over two-thirds of American adults are overweight which causes excess strain on the heart, raises blood cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds can help you  lower the possibility of high blood pressure.

For more information visit www.heart.org and www.strokeassociation.org