Brandishing a loud and honest brand of comedy, comedienne and actress Mo’Nique used humor to make her way to the top. On a dare from her brother, the Maryland native found her start grinding on the stand-up circuit. This bold move, proved successful and led to  a series of hosting stints and several appearances on BET’s ComicView. It wasn’t long before Hollywood took notice of her talent, and in 1999 she landed a lead role in UPN’s “The Parkers”—a spinoff of the the hit sitcom “Moesha,” that would run for five seasons.

Fast forward to 2009. With over 15 movies under her belt, Mo’Nique landed the part of Mary Lee Johnson in the Lee Daniel’s directed “Precious”—a role that would change her career.  A departure from her comedic roots, the film was a gritty and dark story of a girl faced with years of abuse at the hands of her mother. Mo’Nique’s honest and chilling performance yielded her a Screen Actor’s Guild award, a Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She’s now hosting her own NAACP Image Award winning late night show, “The Mo’nique Show” on BET, making her the first black woman to host her own late night show. Monique, now a mother of three and married, has let her passion drive her and now she’s living her dream.

Catch Mo’nique in the Flick Centric presentation of “Hair Salon” today at 3 PM.

—Danielle Young and Justin Dwayne Joseph

If you love Malcolm Jamal Warner the way Regina King does, then you probably watched him guest star on last night’s episode of NBC’s “Community.” Warner played the ex-husband of Shirley, played by Yvette Nicole Brown.

Not only did his appearance make for a good laugh, but he managed a little nod to his television father (see the sweater?). Rumor has it, he may be making more appearances on the show.

Things are looking good for Warner’s in 2011. He is also set to star in a new BET scripted series, “Reed Between the Lines” alongside Tracee Ellis Ross.

Watch Malcolm Jamal Warner in back to back episodes of The Cosby Show at 2 PM and again at 8 PM.

The overwhelming ratings of “The Game” season four premiere proved that Tia Mowry Hardrict, and the cast of the sitcom have some serious star power. Breaking records, the show marked the highest ratings in BET history and one of the highest watched original series in all of cable TV. Some gig right? Well she will be taking on the ultimate role in a few months: Mom. The 32 year-old actress is expecting her first child with her hubby, Cory Hardrict (pictured with the actress above).

If that wasn’t enough, Mowry Hardrict will chronicle her pregnancy and relationship with her sister Tamera in a new Style Network reality show, “Tia and Tamera Take Two,”to the world with a reality show on the Style Network that will begin taping in March. There’s no word on when the show will air, but Tia and Cory are expecting their little bundle of joy in July.

Watch Tia and Tamara Mowry in back to back episodes of “Sister, Sister” at 12 PM est only on Centric.

The buzz surrounding tomorrow’s season four return of “The Game” has reached a fever pitch, and the cast (pictured above) is no doubt on a media blitz. Wendy Raquel Robinson, Pooch Hall, Tia Mowry Hardrict and Hosea Chanchez are featured on the latest issue of JET Magazine.

With so much speculation of where the story will pick up, Chanchez, who plays star quarterback Malik on the show, told the magazine that his character will be in a very dark place emotionally this season. He also spilled the beans on Meagan Good joining the cast.

Pick up this issue on newsstands now and don’t forget to tune in for “The Game” season premiere tomorrow at 10 pm est. only on BET

Also: Catch Tia Mowry Hardrict in back to back episodes of “Sister,Sister” at 12 PM est and Wendy Raquel Robinson in back to back episodes of “The Steve Harvey Show” today at 1 PM est. only on Centric.

Tia Mowry tweeted last night:

@TiaMowry: @TameraMowryTwo and I have a huge announcement coming soon!! Can’t wait to share!!  ya! Signing off!!! Night Night!

Wonder what her announcement can be? With The Game coming back to BET on January 11, her schedule should be jam packed. We haven’t seen a project from the Mowry twins together since last summer’s Double Wedding, where they not only starred in it, but executive produced it as well.

Tia also tweeted this on Saturday, January 1st:

@TiaMowry: I will be doing the Q and A next week-end:) Sat.

It’s no secret “The Game” is coming back to the small screen with new episodes starting on January 11, 2011. Watch the sitcom’s cast members Pooch Hall and Tia Mowry discuss exactly what it took to get them back on the show.

Are you thinking what we’re thinking? Janelle Monae looks A-MAZING! We’re used to seeing The Arch Android songbird dancing around on stage in her standard tuxedos. But at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards, Janelle strutted in donning all black from her fierce cape to some staggeringly high pumps.

I caught up with the Soul Train Awards 2010 nominee Monae backstage at last year’s Black Girl Rock Awards and I asked her about her tuxedos and she explained that she would rather have us focus on her music rather than her clothes.

Well, for the fashion obsessed, we can’t help but pay attention to her clothes. She always manages to find a way to remix wearing a tux yet keep it classic. Check out some of our favorite Janelle Monae tuxedo moments.

Janelle Monae fan? Don’t forget to Vote  for “Cold War” on Centric’s 20 to 1 Countdown.

Tune in to catch Monae on the Soul Train Awards 2010 airing November 28th at 9PM est. on Centric and BET

BET Rising Icon and Centric staff favorite Estelle was recently spotted on stage with John Legend and The Roots at American Express’ UNSTAGED. Originally done by Erykah Badu, The UK singer sang the hauntingly melodic hook on The Roots’ “You Got Me.” 

Estelle has also recently released a remixes album for her single “Fall in Love,” available on iTunes now! The album features remixes from Seamus Haij, Axel Bauer & Lanford, Scott Wozniak & Kenny Summit and more.—Danielle Young

You Got Me LIVE by John Legend The Roots ft Estelle
Uploaded by seelteck. – See the latest featured music videos.

Still need more Estelle? Make sure you VOTE for her “Fall in Love” video featuring John Legend on Centric’s 20-1 Countdown!

If you’ve already copped your “Indrupendence Day” album (in stores today), the only thing you’re missing is the guys of Dru Hill in person.  Catch them today on 106 & Park at 6PM Est. with Terrance and Rocsi.  The guys will chop it up about their new album and their experience on Keith Sweat’s Platinum House.  Following their BET appearance, you can get another dose of the members on BET radio.  Don’t have time to tune in? Check out Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz and Tao on the radio. For details go here.