"Scandal" Star Kerry Washington on Oprah's Next Chapter

On Sunday night, Oprah Winfrey visited the set of my FAVORITE show right now Scandal and interviewed it's star Kerry Washington, as well as it's creator Shonda Rhimes and the inspiration behind the character of Olivia Pope, real-life "fixer" Judy Smith.

Washington is the first African-American woman to star in a primetime scripted TV drama on a major network in over 30 years.

Let me just say that this show is LIFE to me: not only does it have intense plot lines from week to week but it has some of the most complex characters that I've ever seen. Olivia Pope is able to fix everyone else's problems but that is complicated by her steamy love affair with President Fitzgerald Grant. Their INTENSE chemistry and the overwhelming complications that arise (he's the President, and married with children) make for AWESOME TV. It's hard to root for the mistress in any situation but I really do think that Liv and Fitz have a GREAT love, no matter how complicated.

I was happy to hear that Washington was not met with absolute jealousy and hate when she was given the part over other black actresses and she gives some great insight:

Sometimes we buy into this myth of competition that comes from the myth of a lack: that if  I succeed, someone else can't. 

Shonda Rhimes talked about being a successful TV mogul as well as a single mother to 2 young girls. Scandal is her third hit show in a row for ABC, after Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. She said that she had to take her flagship show back from her fans because they were starting to dictate how they wanted the show to go through social media instead of her as the creator. Judy Smith also talked about her experience as a White House press secretary and becoming a fixer.

Here is a clip where Washington talked about her groundbreaking role as Olivia Pope:

Ms. Washington Goes to Washington

For the first time in almost four decades, an African-American actress has landed the lead role on a primetime television series. Oprah travels to the set of this show, ABC's hit drama Scandal, to talk with the show's star, Kerry Washington. Watch as Kerry reveals why she had no idea her character, Olivia Pope, would be so momentous.

RHOA S5 E6: Phaedra Shuts Kenya Down...QUICK

Now that Kim Zolsiac is officially done with Real Housewives of Atlanta, the rest of the girls were able to leave the drama in the ATL and take a romantic couples trip to Anguilla that Peter has set up. Since Kim and Kroy won't be attending, that left the door open for Kenya Moore (who invited herself) and Walter to join them as well as Porsha Stewart and her husband Kordell. 

First, Kandi Burruss discussed the trip and her relationship with her mother, Joyce. She says that she actually likes Todd, which surprised Kandi because Joyce doesn't always like the men she likes. Then, Cynthia Bailey went to dinner with her husband Peter and were joined by Porsha. She invites them to come on the trip to Anguilla.

Time to go to Anguilla: They all met up at the airport where Kandi was surprised by Todd who she thought could not come. After the plane ride, they got on a boat to get to the island and Kenya decided to drive the boat. Yes, it seemed fun but it didn't help my assumption that she's crazy. She did throw a shot at the other women, yelling "Hold onto your weaves" because she's the only one with her natural hair.

When they arrive, Kenya gets mad that she is put in a smaller room, but she should be grateful that she is even there since NO ONE invited her. She also started pressuring Walter about proposing while in Anguilla, mentioning that there was a diamond store nearby.

Phaedra and Apollo have a funny conversations about the cleanliness of hot tubs, Cynthia and Peter discuss romance on this their second honeymoon, and Nene and Gregg show a rekindling relationship. Later, all the couples meet up by the pool but most of them just want to chill for the night. Apollo comes out with his swimsuit on and Kenya pushes him in the pool. She was CLEARLY flirting with him as he picked her up and jumped in the pool with her in his arms. She better watch out...Phaedra's a "southern belle" but she might CUT her!

The next day, Phaedra pulls out the thong swimsuit that was perfectly situated onto her "donkey booty". She was showing Kenya that there was NO competition or worries of losing Apollo. The couples explore the island and Kandi has an interesting conversation over dinner with Todd about what alcohol does to her where they enjoy a drink called "F--- Me Sideways".

Later, they have a fun night that included dancing from an Anguilla dance group and they decide to join in. Kenya continues to flirt with every man in sight because she's "trying to get a rise out of Walter" but if he is REALLY your man, then you don't have to make him jealous. Then she asks a completely OUT-OF-LINE question about who she would allow to have sex with Apollo for a birthday present. Phaedra FINALLY tells her to back up, saying "Go on with that bull----". I'm happy that Phaedra spoke up because that was TOO FAR.

Here's a clip from next week's episode when someone gets married (or remarried or renews vows) and things get testy again between Porsha and Kenya:

~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Tamar Braxton "Love and War"

The highly-anticipated first single from WeTV reality star Tamar Braxton was released on iTunes today. "Love and War" is a ballad that was first heard on her hit show Tamar and Vince and I think that it will be a HIT.

One of the plot lines of this season was when Tamar's album would be released. It's been 12 years since her 1st solo album and Tamar makes it known that she's done with "doo-wop-bop-bopping" behind her older sister Toni Braxton and is ready to be a STAR.

I genuinely like Tamar and her show because just like my girl Nene Leakes, she's funny and crazy and says what she means. I was waiting to hear the finished product to this song since I heard it on the show and I think it is a great choice for a single. The lyrics are powerful and will bring her a lot of fans because they will be able to relate:

We stay on the front lines, but we’re still here after the ball drops

We go so hard, we lose control The fire starts, then we explode 

When the smoke clears, we dry the tears 

Only in love and war

Some of the initial reaction to the song is that it sounds a lot like Toni Braxton, and that the cover for the single resembles her as well. I'm one of the BIGGEST Toni Braxton fans so I know her voice and you can easily tell the difference between them.

First of all, Toni and Tamar are SISTERS so of course they resemble each other, moreso than any of the other Braxton sisters. Secondly, Tamar sang backup for Toni for YEARS and of course she may sound a little like her but you can definitely tell the difference if you really LISTEN.

Listen to Tamar Braxton's first single, "Love and War" below:

RHOA S5 E5: Kim Lies...Then Leaves

The DRAMA was on FULL BLAST on the 5th episode of season 5 of Real Housewives of Atlanta and it led to Kim's abrupt departure from the lunch and maybe even the show...

We find Phaedra Parks and her husband Apollo on a double date with Kenya Moore and her boyfriend Walter. Kenya immediately starts flirting with Apollo, talking about his "bulging muscles" which Phaedra finds unacceptable (I would TOO...I don't want ANY woman flirting with MY man). They then talk business about Kenya possibly producing their "donkey booty" workout tape.

Next, Nene Leakes and husband-or-ex-husband Gregg meet over Cynthia Bailey's house to discuss a couple's trip to Anguilla. Peter discusses his plan to have he and Cynthia to renew their vows on the beach. After the fiasco with her mom and sister hiding the marriage certificate, it would be great for them to make a new and happy memory together. 

Porsha Stewart visits a fertility clinic with her husband Kordell, and we find out that she had a miscarriage six months ago. It was great to get to know her on personal level and see a vulnerable side to her. She REALLY wants to have twins and they have a funny conversation about how to do it (eating yams, family history, etc.) Fortunately, they will be able to try again for a family in a month. 

Kandi Burruss has lunch with Cynthia and they talk about the Anguilla trip. Kandi says thay Todd may not want to come because the group is DRAMA (but that DRAMA paid your bills when you worked on the show SMH). They also discuss Nene and Kandi thinks she has motives behind her friendships. I think that Kandi keeps stuff going to stay relevant on the show because her career is now based off of it. 

Nene and Cynthia meet Porsha at her late uncle's home to discuss working for her foundation. They  also discuss Kenya's behavior at their events. Somewhere else in Atlanta, Kandi and Phaedra shop and talk about kegal balls...and Kandi says to invite Kenya to the lunch, KNOWING that her and Cynthia fell out (keeping stuff going again).

Then the ISH hit the fan at the lunch to discuss the Anguilla trip. Phaedra brings flowers and makes amends with Cynthia about what she said on the butt-dial message. Everything seems peaceful until a very-pregnant Kim arrives. First, she says she can come, then turns around and says she can't because her doctor said, then she said that her and Kroy were going on a trip the same week. She brings up a plethora of excuses, like "you can't travel at 28 weeks pregnant" and "Kroy is at camp", which may all be true but she should have just said "I don't wanna go with y'all". 

The ladies bring up their busy schedules and how they made plans to accomodate her. Phaedra brings up the point that she doesn't have time for her girlfriends Kim bluntly says "I really don't". They quickly realize that Kim does not care anymore. When Kim gets caught in the lies, she abruptly says "I'm done with this whole thing", leaves and doesn't want the cameras to follow her. 

Next episode, the ladies go to Anguilla and Phaedra might have to put Kenya in check about flirting with Apollo. Check out the preview: