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Hip hop singer and dancer Ciara helped students get ready for school.
Ciara, a Grammy-Award winning singer, appeared at office supply store Staples to help volunteers fill 5,000 bags with notebooks, calculators, binders and more at the Children’s Aid Society Dunlevy Milbank Boys & Girls Club in New York.
It was part of Staples’ second annual “Do Something 101″ back-to-school event. The supplies will go to needy children in the New York City area.

Chaske Spencer, who portrays Sam Uley on Twilight sequel New Moon, and Canadian hip hop singer Leah Renee also helped fill bags for the needy children.
I wonder why Chris Brown wasn’t also volunteering for the Staples event to shave off the court-mandated 1,400 community service hours for pleading guilty to beating his ex, pop star Rihanna.

By Teneshia LaFaye

I recently wrote a book with my teenage son to put high school students and college students on the right financial track. In our book, What My Mom Taught Me About Money, teens and young adults learn about checking accounts, credit scores, credit cards, cash advances, investing and more. Preview or buy What My Mom Taught Me About Money here. The book also is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

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Guess short hair is in for black women.
Rihanna and Cassie shaved their heads, and now Ciara has revealed her new short cut on her Twitter page.
Ciara’s new hair style is reminiscent of Halle Berry’s in the Oscar-winning actress’ 1990s movie roles, Strictly Business, Boomerang and Executive Decision.

Ciara had golden locks when she was introduced with her debut album Goodies in 2004. Then, she went with dark tresses for her sophomore album, Ciara: The Evolution.

Now midway through the release of her third album Fantasy Ride, Ciara has gone to a short cut that appears to be inspired by Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry.
Even Halle Berry, who has worn her hair long for the last couple years, has gone back to a short hairdo.

The short dos complement Halle’s and Ciara’s faces, but I hope Beyonce and Mariah Carey don’t follow this trend and keep their flowing locks.

By Teneshia LaFaye

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The BET Awards was billed as an all-night tribute to the King of Pop. The show even was extended by 30 minutes, and awards were given out to some winners on the Red Carpet to allow more time during the actual show to pay homage to Michael Jackson, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 50 three days before while preparing for a comeback. Iconic singer Janet Jackson saved the night when she made her first public appearance at the end of the show to mourn her big brother.

During the live broadcast, there were no magnificent tributes or eccentric dancing, unless you count the doo-wop routines of New Edition and the O-Jays, who performed their own hits “Back Stabbers”, “For The Love of Money” and other songs after being awarded BET’s Lifetime Award.

The show looked more like The Funk Fest with the O’Jays, BBD, Guy and Keith Sweat performing their old hits.
Host Jamie Foxx wore throwback MJ gear throughout the show and moonwalked across the stage earlier in the broadcast. He continually remarked that the night belonged to Michael Jackson while simultaneously plugging his own upcoming Las Vegas concert.

The best performances of the night had nothing to do with Michael Jackson. Best New Artist Keri Hilson, Soulja Boy Tell’ Em, Jay Z, Keisha Cole and Monica had rocking performances of their own songs. Even Foxx’s performance of his hit “Blame It” was electric with Blink 182’s Travis Barker banging on the drums.
Maxwell looked dapper while singing his new single, “Pretty Wings”, and feathers fell from the ceiling and onto the L.A. Shrine Auditorium audience as he closed the song. Beyonce sang “Ave Maria” beautifully in English and Spanish wearing a sheer white umbrella-like ballerina dress.

But why didn’t B sing one of her more popular songs? Someone on Twitter wrote that his niece was disappointed that Beyonce didn’t perform “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” in which she wears a shiny metallic glove reminiscent of MJ’s glittery glove. She accepted awards for Best Female R&B Artist and Viewers Choice, and she thanked Michael Jackson and also the legions of fans who posted their own version of her “Single Ladies” routine on YouTube.
Singer/pianist Alicia Keys and producer Wyclef Jean received Humanitarian Awards. Wyclef said no one has an excuse because he started out in a hut in Haiti and moved to the projects and now lives in a mansion. Alicia lavished praise on Michael Jackson, who had 14 No. 1 hits and 13 Grammys, and she remarked about all of the energy in the atmosphere.
Too bad none of the energy was used for MJ-inspired dance sequences.
What happened to the all-night performance tributes to the man who inspired them all? The man who Best Male Hip Hop award winner Lil’ Wayne said paved the way for all of the artists before his profanity-filled song about hooking up with a bunch of females while underage-looking girls pranced around the stage.
Where were Usher, Chris Brown and Justin Timberlake — all electric singers and dancers who have made a career of copying Michael Jackson? Ciara, another MJ singing-and-dancing machine, sat on a stool to wail the King of Pop’s humanitarian anthem, “Heal the World,” while wearing a Jackson-inspired military jacket.
BET’s tribute was mainly in the first 30 minutes of the three-and-a-half hour show with New Edition’s rendition of The Jackson 5’s hits, Jamie Foxx’s brief “Beat It” routine and moonwalk across the stage, and Ne-Yo holding his composure while sitting on a stool to sing MJ’s “The Lady In My Life”.

Foxx and Ne-Yo closed the show with a duet of “I’ll Be There”. Mariah Carey would have been more appropriate considering she brought The Jackson 5’s 1970 No. 1 hit back to life with her 1992 version that became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard charts.
Most of the show kept Twittering-viewers wondering when an artist was going to perform a memorable Michael Jackson routine.
The show got weird when the cast of BET BlackBuster movie Baby Boy, which included Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, Transformers co-star Tyrese Gibson and Ving Rhames, argued with each other while in character. Then, Rhames turned to the audience and told them to repeat over-and-over something about guns. MJ fan and multiple Grammy Award winner Kanye West, who had a front row seat with model girlfriend Amber Rose, looked stunned and squirmed in his seat.
How embarrassing for this to be part of a tribute to the greatest performer of our time while the world is watching.
Up until the show’s final six minutes, Twitter folks wondered when Chris Brown was going to perform. But Janet Jackson rescued the show by taking the stage in her first public appearance since her big brother’s death to thank everyone for their support.
“My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful,” Janet said while holding back tears. “So they elected me to speak with all of you. To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts.”
View the final minutes of BET Awards, including Janet Jackson’s appearance and Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx’s “I’ll Be There Duet”.

The family patriarch Joe Jackson sat in the front row during the entire show, and he had to be disappointed, especially after Lil’ Wayne, Young Money and Canadian rapper Drake’s profanity-laced performance in which whole verses were bleeped out, right before Janet walked up to pay tribute to her brother and bring the Shrine Auditorium audience and viewers on Twitter to tears.
The BET Awards would have been satisfying if it hadn’t been billed as an all-night MJ love fest. So it ended up taking a Jackson to fulfill the promise of properly honoring the late legendary Michael Jackson.

By Teneshia LaFaye

Buy a limited edition I Was There, King of Pop Commemorative Journal featuring many of these stories to remember the positive side of Michael Jackson’s life. The journal went on sale at the pop icon’s public memorial in L.A., and a limited supply is left over. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Get the journal while supplies last as a keepsake for MJ’s passing with spaces for your personal experience and pictures.

To receive your copy, please send $8 per copy in cash or money order to King of Pop Journal, 3832-10 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32217 and make sure your name and address is on the envelope.

Or you can buy now for $7.35:

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Michael Jackson’s influence is so vast that he is admired by musical icons in their own genres. Legends from Madonna to Tina Turner to Celene Dion to Diana Ross to Mariah Carey to Britney Spears to Paul McCartney to Whitney Houston to Usher to Beyonce and more paid their condolences to the late pop star, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday.

Many of them have emulated MJ’s music, style and dance moves, like Rihanna who used the “Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa” chorus of Jackson’s 1983 hit “Wanna Be Startin’ Something” in her 2007 song, “Please Don’t Stop the Music”.

Various music icons voiced their respects to the unanimous King of Pop. But when death comes knocking at their doors, none of them will be as widely celebrated by their peers and as many races, genders and generations of people as Michael.

Here are some of the musical icons’ reactions to Michael Jackson’s death in alphabetical order by first name:

Alicia Keys: “There is no one in the world like MJ. Never has been. Never will be. We all know him in one way or another. In some way he has touched us, been the voice of one.”

Berry Gordy: “I am shocked beyond words. It’s like a dream – a bad dream. This cannot be! How can Michael Jackson not be here? As a kid, Michael was always beyond his years. He had a knowingness about him that was incredible. When I first heard him sing Smokey’s song, “Who’s Lovin’ You” at 10 years’ old, it felt like he had lived the song for 50 years. Somehow, even at that first meeting with him, he had a hunger to learn, a hunger to be the best and was willing to work as hard and as long as it took. I extend my sympathies to Joe, Katherine and the entire Jackson family. My prayers are with them.”

Beyonce: “The incomparable Michael Jackson has made a bigger impact on music than any other artist in the history of music. He was magic.

“He was what we all strive to be. He will always be the King of Pop. For anyone who has ever seen, felt, or heard his art, we are all honored to have been alive in this generation to experience the magic of Michael Jackson. I love you Michael.”

Britney Spears: “I was so excited to see his show in London. We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time and I was going to fly in to see him.

“He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life and I’m devastated he’s gone!”

Ciara: “He was part of the reason why for me. Whenever someone asks me who inspires me to do what I do, I always say Michael. That’s it for me. “He’s everything to me. He’s really a part of the reason why. He’s going to be remembered in so many ways for me. I feel it’s important for me to continue to let my generation know how important he was to music.”

Celine Dion: “Michael Jackson was not only an extremely talented person, he was unique. He was a genius. I was very privileged to work with the same record company as him. And I did have the privilege of meeting with him a long, long time ago. He will never die. He will never, ever die.”

Cher: “God gives you certain gifts.

“This child was an extraordinary child.”

Chris Brown: “Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and why I am an entertainer.

Chris Brown ended his 2007 MTV VMA Awards performance with an on-point duplication of Michael Jackson’s famous “Billie Jean” performance at Motown Records’ 25th anniversary celebration.
VMA’s 2007 Chris Brown Rihanna

“I am devastated by this great loss, and I will continue to be humbled and inspired by his legacy. My prayers are with his family. Michael will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. He’s the greatest, the best ever. No one will ever be better.”

Diana Ross: “I can’t stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this.

“My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family.”

Justin Timberlake: “I can’t find the words right now to express how deeply saddened I am by Michael’s passing. We have lost a genius and a true ambassador of not only pop music but of all music.”

View the rest of Justin’s comments and his tribute to MJ, which includes videos of The Gloved One.

Kanye West: “Thank you for everything, Mike.”

Lil’ Wayne: “I personally can’t believe it. But it’s more unfortunate for the world of music. My love goes out to his family. A sad day in history, not (just) music.”

Liza Minnelli: “He was also one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.

“I loved him very much and I will miss him every remaining day of my life.”

Madonna: “I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson.

“The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless.”

Paul McCartney: “It’s so sad and shocking. I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael.

“He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones. I send my deepest sympathy to his mother and the whole family and to his countless fans all around the world.”

Quincy Jones: “I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words.

“To this day, the music we created together on ‘Off The Wall’, ‘Thriller’ and ‘Bad’ is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all. Talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother and part of my soul has gone with him.”

Mariah Carey: “My prayers go out to the Jackson family, and my heart goes out to his children. Let us remember him for his unparalleled contribution to the world of music, his generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the world and the joy he brought to his millions of devoted fans throughout the world.

“I feel blessed to have performed with him several times and to call him my friend. No artist will ever take his place. His star will shine forever.”

Slash of rock band Guns N’ Roses: “Michael Jackson was one of the most talented and dynamic performer/singer/songwriters I ever had the pleasure of working with, he was amazing.

“Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding his personal life in recent years overshadowed his unparalleled contributions to the music world, which is a tragedy in and of itself. But his music will live on forever no matter what and his memory will be adored and admired for years to come.”

Smokey Robinson: “It is always hard to lose a friend. I will miss Michael and all that he brought to the world through his music and his creative genius. I know that his legend will live on and that the world will miss him dearly.”

Tina Turner: “I am shocked and saddened by Michael’s passing.

“I, along with his millions of fans, looked forward to seeing him tour one more time. Now, may he rest in peace.”

Usher: “This loss has deeply saddened me. With a heavy heart I composed this statement. May God cover you Michael. We all lift your name up in prayer. I pray for the entire Jackson family, particularly Michael’s mother and all his fans that loved him so much. I would not be the artist, performer, and philanthropist I am today without the influence of Michael.

“I have great admiration and respect for him, and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to meet and perform with such a great entertainer. In so many ways, he transcended culture. He broke barriers. He changed radio formats. With music, he made it possible for people like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama to impact the mainstream world. His legacy is unparalleled. Michael Jackson will never be forgotten.”

Whitney Houston: “I am full of grief.”

By Teneshia LaFaye

Buy a limited edition I Was There, King of Pop Commemorative Journal featuring many of these stories to remember the positive side of Michael Jackson’s life. The journal went on sale at the pop icon’s public memorial in L.A., and a limited supply is left over. Don’t let this moment pass you by. Get the journal while supplies last as a keepsake for MJ’s passing with spaces for your personal experience and pictures.

To receive your copy, please send $8 per copy in cash or money order to King of Pop Journal, 3832-10 Baymeadows Rd., Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32217 and make sure your name and address is on the envelope.

Or you can buy now for $7.35:

Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
Add me on Myspace: www.myspace.com/tlafaye

Is it just me or is SNL in need of new talent?
And Justin Timberlake is the man for the job.
Watching the “Sexy Back” singer make his third appearance as host of Saturday Night Live was worth staying up an hour past midnight in spite of a long day at Disney World and a sleepy 90-minute drive back home.
Justin used his SNL platform to poke fun at his 2004 Super Bowl gaffe with Janet Jackson and to make a dig at first love Britney Spears. Before performing six skits, he sang and pranced from the main stage to backstage mingling with the audience and SNL cast members, including a brief pause to rip off two pieces of Kristen Wiig’s frumpy frock to reveal a sexy dress.
His most popular skits were “Mother Lover”, where he reunited with SNL’s Adam Samberg to howl about sexing each other’s mother, and “Bring It on Down to Plastic Ville”, where Timberlake danced and twisted the lyrics of Kelly Clarkson’s, Lady Gaga’s and The Black Eyed Peas’ latest hits to lure passersby into a plastic surgeon’s office. But you won’t be able to see the skits on YouTube because NBC had them removed after more than 40,000 views on the video-sharing site. Of course, you still can view Timberlake’s skits on NBC’s site.
Justin also performed a skit as an old lady in a Target checkout line and another skit as an Irish immigrant to the New World, who envisioned a day when his great, great grandson brings “sexy back” and dates a singer while publicly claiming to be virgins when “personally he hit it” in reference to Timberlake’s multiplatinum hit song and highly publicized former romance with Spears.
Justin must have been winded from the four skits because he stayed in the background on keyboard and sang vocals instead of pushing up on featured singer Ciara as she performed her and Timberlake’s sexy tune, “Love, Sex, and Magic”.
Timberlake is bound to get another Emmy nomination for the overtime he put in on SNL. He won an Emmy for co-writing and performing “Dick in the Box” with Samberg on his first appearance as SNL’s host in 2006. His second SNL appearance was widely popular on YouTube when he donned a leotard and heels to be one of Beyonce’s three male background dancers at the end of last year.
Timberlake’s SNL appearances offer a much-needed interlude from the regular SNL snooze-fest of skits. The only thing worth staying up for has been Wiig’s over-the-top impersonations of Suze Orman, Nancy Pelosi and Kathy Lee Gifford. The show has been short of laughs ever since the end of Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin spoofs during the 2008 presidential election and Amy Poehler’s departure to star in her own weekday show.
So Justin’s guest host appearances have been a welcome treat and hopefully the third of many to come.

By Teneshia LaFaye
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/teneshialafaye
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