Three beautiful women cover April 2009 issue of Essence Magazine. Oscar nominated actress, Taraji P. Henson, tennis star Serena Williams, and model/enterepreneur Iman are featured in the magazine’s “Ageless Beauties” edition. They look gorgeous! Luvin Taraji right now!

Halle Berry graces the cover of Essence Magazine’s Hollywood issue which hit newsstands yesterday. This is the seventh time the actress has covered the magazine. In the cover story, Berry talks about her baby girl, dating a white man, and much more. Check out some interesting excerpts from the article:

On dating a White man:
“I tried Black men. I tried,” she wails in a mock southern accent. “I married two Black men. You know I tried.” She laughs again before making clear that “I don’t hold all Black males responsible because of the two bad eggs I got. I even dated Black men after my last divorce, but this is just where I found love.”

On Halle’s baby girl, Nahla:
“When I looked at the stick and saw I was pregnant … I was so happy. I thought I knew love before, but I’ve never felt anything like this.” Although Halle loves working, it takes a great script to tear her away from Nahla. “A film has to be really special for me to leave the house. I have to love it. I mean really, really love it.” (more…)

LisaRaye McCoy-Misick went from a fairy-tale life to the harsh reality of a “very public” split from her husband. The First lady of Turks and Caicos is now preparing for her pending divorce from her husband Premier Michael Misick. As we previously reported last year, the couple was involved in a domestic violence incident that occured at their home. LisaRaye spoke exclusively with ESSENCE.com about what really went down. Check out some excerpts from the interview:

ESSENCE.COM: Nice to hear from you. You’ve laid low since all the hoopla surrounding your marriage to Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick. How have you been holding up?
LISARAYE McCOY-MISICK: Why is it that people don’t embrace one another when we’re going through a tough time? Some of the things I read about me were so wrong and hurtful, but I am fine. It’s okay to move forward because things happen. Does it hurt? Yes. Am I disappointed? Incredibly. But this too shall pass.

ESSENCE.COM: Is it difficult to go through rough times publicly, especially with a spouse.
LISARAYE: Yes. There is a law in Turks and Caicos that you must remain married for three years before you begin any kind of divorce proceedings. If you want to get a divorce before that you have to be able to prove certain things that will grant you the right to do so. (more…)

Actor, Michael Jai White and his wife Dr. Courtenay Chatman, shared some x-clusive pictures with Essence. They newlyweds welcomed their first baby girl together named Morgan Michelle. Michael Says, “I welcome every cry, whimper and movement, and I don’t think there’s any noise she’s going to make that I’ll ever get tired of…I’m in love like you would never believe. And her mom echoes those sentiments”. Aren’t the pics so precious! Awww!

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Oprah Winfrey is among a number of celebrities due in New York tonight for a benefit honoring Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief of Essence magazine. Diddy, Terry McMillan, Donnie McClurkin and Ruby Dee are also on the bill to salute Taylor’s 37 years with the magazine targeted to African- American women.

President-elect Barack Obama and soon-to-be First Lady Michelle Obama grace the cover of the January 2009 issue of Essence Magazine, on newsstands December 12. The couple will have a 56-page-tribute. I can’t wait!

Last year around this time, I reported that Al B. Sure and Diddy were beefing over the theme of his son’s party. As you may know Al B and Kim Porter (Diddy’s baby momma/girlfriend) have a son together, named Quincy and Sure was upset that Diddy themed Kim’s son’s bday “Stuntin’ Like My Daddy”…

Well, Essence.com met up with Al B. Sure recently and he spoke about the incident, check it out here:

ESSENCE.COM: Absolutely, everyone needs to stay on the grind for what they truly want in life. Which brings me to the rumor that you wanted Quincy, your youngest son with Kim Porter, who also has children with Diddy, to acknowledge you as his father and not Diddy during his birthday bash (the party and its preparation were documented for MTV’s “Sweet Sixteen” series), which you failed to attend because you wanted them to change the theme title from “Stuntin Like My Daddy”?

SURE!: That’s absolutely not true. I never had a conversation about changing the theme name of the party. Zero. [Editor's Note: Forgive us, but we can't resist but recite his lyrics "You think you dope on the rope? Nope. Zero on the strength!"] I don’t discuss my personal life, but I will say this: I truly think the world of Sean. I respect him and he respects me. He’s a great stepfather to Quincy, and Kim is a great mother. We all grew up together, so I just laugh when people, or should I say groupies, are concerned more about what’s going on in your life than theirs. I don’t even know how my name ends up in any gossip because I haven’t been out [as an artist] since Kung Fu (laughs.) (more…)

Lisa Wu Hartwell’s husband has been by her side for the past three years. Ed Hartwell is a former linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons. Hartwell says that he didn’t want to be a part of all the drama between the girls on the Real Housewives of Atlanta, but he would do anything for his leading lady! Essence.com had an exclusive interview with Mr. Hartweel to discuss the reality show, his relationship with Lisa Wu’s ex, Keith Sweat, and more…check it out here:

ESSENCE.COM: Hey, Mr. Hartwell, how does it feel to live under the microscope of America?

ED HARTWELL: When I was a linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, people always asked me why didn’t do shows like “MTV Cribs.” I’ve never been into allowing folks to see everything you’re doing, because then you put all of your business out there. After Lisa told me this show was something she wanted to do, I wanted to support her because it’s her line of work as a [burgeoning] actress and screenwriter. Our decision to be on the show gave us great exposure for our businesses. If I had been approached, I probably would never have done it, but I don’t have any regrets. We have so much going on; it didn’t really interrupt our lives.

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Essence Magazine put together a special year-end issue with the 25 most influential and distinguished African-Americans who made a difference. Of course, President-elect Obama made top of the list. “President-elect Barack Obama’s historic win was the pinnacle of an amazing year in African-American achievement,” says the magazine’s editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray. “Essence is so proud to acknowledge the top 25 African-Americans who followed suit with extraordinary steps in news, music, film, politics, activism and fashion and emerged as the game changers of 2008.”

Essence magazine’s 25 Most Influential List:

    Barack Obama – President-elect
    Donna Brazile – Political Strategist, Commentator
    Gwen Ifill – Journalist (more…)

Uh Oh! More Real Housewives of Atlanta drama! Kim Zolciak told TMZ.com that Lisa Wu Hartwell left some threatening voicemails after their heated argument on the reunion show. Apparently Lisa is very upset with Kim because she heard that Kim was talking behind her back about her three children (two with Keith Sweat and one baby with NFL hubby Ed Hartwell).

As I previously reported earlier this week…Lisa said although she is a very nice person, “When you come after my integrity or my family, then you’re going to see a different person.”      

Kim’s revealed that Lisa said her her voicemail: “I am not the one — you need to call me. I might just be coming to your house.”  Kim got SCARED! LMAO!

TMZ KIM/LISA CLIP HERE

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