THIS WEEK

Grammy Winner India.Arie Slams Clive Davis After His Death. India Arie is condemning Clive Davis’ impact on the music industry after the record mogul died this week at age 94.In a June 23, Threads post, the “Video” singer, 50, called out the late music titan, known for spearheading the careers of legendary artists like Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.

India.Arie said Davis was at the top of the dominant record labels that “hurt lots of artists.” “Mark my words ~ Watch what kind of archival interviews are about to come out. I would tell my story too, but mine is minimal compared to what you’re about to hear,” she wrote.

“When people talk about the music industry being so awful. It’s the record label executives that do that.” The four-time Grammy winner emphasized that “as forward these words may be, this is the diplomatic version.”India.Arie has a reputation of advocating for self-empowerment and social consciousness in her music, as well as being outspoken on race and cultural identity issues.

Whitney Houston’s Hairstylist Calls Out Oprah Winfrey Over Relapse Claims: ‘She’s Got A Lot Of Nerve.’ According to Page Six, Oprah Winfrey continues to face backlash over her claim that Whitney Houston had relapsed by the time of her final appearance on her legendary talk show. The 2009 appearance was supposed to herald the singer’s comeback after a stint in rehab.

But Winfrey claimed this week that Houston was high and fell off the stage during the taping. Winfrey was met with a swift rebuke from, among others, Houston’s estate, which said she fell not because she was on drugs but because the stage was too dark. Now the singer’s hairstylist, Tiffanie Dixon, says it’s baloney. The former talk show told her version of event at Cannes Lions this week.

Oprah had added she “begged” her studio audience not to blab about the fall because, “I knew that if the story got out… she would be destroyed by that.” Dixon said Winfrey had people sign NDAs and also threatened, “she’ll fire her staff if it gets out.” Houston appeared on Winfrey’s show to promote her final studio album “I Look to You.” She was also there to address her highly publicized battle with addiction and divorce from Bobby Brown. Dixon spoke out because she said Winfrey’s words about Houston “disturbed me.” “It’s not true… There’s not truth and no validity…It’s a lie.”

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Single Sketches

Moments

by Cheryl Lakes

When you’re single and dating, there are moments that happen during the course of time you wish to forget.  Here are a few moments these singles wish they could forge  Candy – “On the first date with a very exciting guy that I had been working hard to impress all night, I removed my eyeglasses for vanity purposes.  Forgetting that I could barely see without them, I struggled to order from the menu and got lost coming back to the table from the ladies’ room.  But the worst happened when I ended up getting in the wrong car, with the wrong guy  ”  MORE

 

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The Dating Chronicles

In Unspoken Terms

The ride had been silent since they left the party.  No words had been spoken between them.  Maria knew Steve was proud to be with her, but she had been embarrassed at the party because of his lack of social skills.  She hoped he would make a good impression on his looks alone, but he had not.  Her friends had been polite when he slaughtered the English language, but their disdain was apparent.  It was obvious he had little or no social exposure, but she needed “eye candy” on her arm for this formal occasion and he was a perfect choice.    MORE

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Lost  Love? 

10 Things To Do

by Dani Stone

When you’re in a relationship and the love and affection seem to be dwindling, don’t take it as a bust and give up.   Try these 10 things to make it rejuvenate!  Put The Brakes On. Speak out openly about what’s bothering you.  State exactly what it is you don’t like.  Stop accepting what you don’t like.    MORE

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SingleScenes

by Sarah Smart 

Q.  For the last three months, I have been “dating” a guy over the phone I’ve never seen. He lives in another state and we had come to the point where we felt we had fallen in love. We talked every day, and he even spoke of marriage. Then last week, for the first time, he sent me a photo of him, (we had agreed not to exchange pictures because we wanted to wait until we met) and I’m so turned off by his looks, that I can’t even talk to him anymore. I have been dodging his calls because I don’t know what to say. What do I do?  MORE

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Love Match-Ups:

“How We Met” …

by Lisa Cregier

Tom:  “I made an agreement with a female friend I’d met on the tennis court to marry her for appearance’s sake. She was afraid she would never marry because no female in her family had ever been married.  I wasn’t attracted to her in the least but the offer was irresistible. I was unattached at the time and the agreement was that we would stay married for three months, get divorced and she would give me $40,000… $20,000 down and the remainder at the end of the designated period.  However, we ended up falling in love and the balance was forfeited.  We are still together and it’s been over two years.”   MORE

 

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Charisma: What It Takes

To Be Well-Liked…

by Bonita Bennett

Those Who Are Well-Liked…Are known for being kind and fair.***Treat everyone the same.  Do not make a difference in others based on their status in life, real or perceived. *** Are genuinely interested in the lives of others.  When you hurt, they hurt.  When you’re happy…they’re happy.*** Never negatively discuss a friend behind their backs nor allow others to.***They discuss all grievances face to face.**Hold all confidences with care and respect for the individual’s wishes.***Have nothing to prove.  They like who they are and it shows.***Have a certain virtuous quality regardless of their experiences.***They make it a practice to make others feel important and valued. They also…      MORE

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From The Male Room

One Man’s Confusion

by V. Carson

Like most single brothers out here, I’m on a mission to live my best life. This includes a fine home, an awesome ride, good income, peace of mind, and the woman of my dreams on my right arm.    However, like many guys, I often run into trouble because, in the romance department, it’s been a severe challenge trying to find all that I want in one woman.  Therefore, I tend to jump around a bit, bore easily, and make commitments I find hard to keep.   MORE

 

Video of the Week

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