~Elle Shanice~ APPROVED ✔: Miss Angola Named Miss Universe

I have a confession: I have an inner beauty queen inside of me that loves to watch beauty pageants.

The gowns, swimsuits, poise, elegance, grace...I just LOVE it. I have been in a couple pageants myself (Miss North Meck in 2005 and Miss A&T in 2009) but I have NO idea how nerve-racking it is to be in one at the level of Miss Universe.

I turned to the pageant last night and see the Top 10 finalists. After seeing that Miss Angola was the only black finalist left, I immediately started cheering for her.



It was great to see an African country represented and a black woman being in the running. I always cheer for the black contestants because I want young black girls to know that they are beautiful too. Having good and diverse examples of black beauty and beauty in general is important to me in what I want to teach young girls.


Leila is SOOOOO pretty and I'm HAPPY and proud that this beautiful black woman was chosen for the title of Miss Universe. She looked AMAZING in her evening gown, which I'm sure there will be some recreations made very soon. I look forward to seeing her serve during her reign.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LEILA FOR BEING NAMED MISS UNIVERSE!!!!!

Learn more about Leila Lopes, the new Miss Universe 2011 on the official website here! Also, enjoy this video of her answering questions...she is so poised and elegant :-)

R.I.P. Naomi Sims

I know that I am late, but I just wanted to send condolences to the family & friends of Naomi Sims, the 1st black supermodel.

What this woman did in the 60's changed the fashion industry & made it possible for Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, & all of the other black models past & present.

In addition to her modeling success, she was also a businesswoman who created a wig line in 1976 & cosmetics line in 1986. She tried to help African-American women with advice about beauty, health and career by writing several books.

She was a great example of fighting for what you believe in and making the moves necessary for change. She will be greatly missed.

R.I.P. Naomi Ruth Sims (March 30, 1948 - August 1, 2009)

Solange's SCREEEEEAM 4 Attention!!!!!

<-----Is it just me or am I witnessing an unneeded trend here??? A few posts back, I discussed the string of R&B singers cutting their hair & whether or not they are trendsetters or "attention whores". I did not in any way, shape, or form, think that any of them would pull a "Britney Spears" & shave their heads...but here comes SOLANGE!!!!! The fact of the matter is that this is a trend right now and if she was the 1st one to do it instead of the 15th, it would be cool. I just don't know if she felt like doing her or doing what everyone else is doing :( At first glance, I would just think that she was trying something new (yet unusual). However, when I think about it, she has ALWAYS been overshadowed by her older sister, and this is the prime example of "SCREAMING FOR ATTENTION".

She will always be under Beyonce's shadow, and while it is not her fault & she actually makes good music, she just made the kind of mistakes that either excels careers or brings them crashing to the ground. Which one will it be?????