CAN'T WAIT FOR THURSDAY NIGHTS

GREY'S ANATOMY, SCANDAL AND HTGAWM. FUN TIMES

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

JUSSIE SMOLLETT COVERS BLUE MAGAZINE

The hottest new Hollywood heartthrob is singer/actor Jussie Smollett who plays Jamal Lyons on the new hit series Empire. Jussie has become a new hero for the next generation of young men by breaking barriers, refusing to be boxed, and redefining what it means to live authentically in the glitzy, but often treacherous world of entertainment. “The scenes with Terrence and I are most intense; they’re also draining. But at the same time, I trust him with my soul. ” There is no doubt Jussie Smollett is living out his dreams. He is one of the stars of the FOX primetime megahit series Empire. The series, which was co-created and is executive produced by director Lee Daniels, delivered record-breaking ratings. The show’s two-hour finale scored 21.92 million viewers–the highest rated scripted series on network TV in 10 years. Not a bad gig for a someone who just happened into acting as a child to kill a little summer boredom. Today, he finished a fitting with Calvin Klein for an appearance to promote season 2 of the hit TV show. “ I’m ‘sample size,’ so let me wear the runway outfit,” Smollett says in an over-the-top jovial voice. Jussie plays Jamal Lyons, the middle son of entertainment mogul Lucious Lyons. Lucious has challenged his three sons to fight to see who will become the heir to his billion dollar record label Empire. Jamal’s character has become a fan favorite because he is openly gay, cute, sensitive and a bit of a DL badass. “Yeah, it feels like a dream,” says Jussie about his meteoric rise. The 31-year-old, who has been an actor and singer since the age of six, declares, “I feel really, really blessed. I thank God so much that I’m in this position right now.” The position Jussie is referring to is his breakout starring role on Empire. He also recently landed a recording deal with Columbia Records, and appeared on the Billboard Music Awards singing “Conqueror” from Empire with songstress Estelle. The song serves as the unofficial anthem for both Jussie’s and Jamal’s life. One notable moment as of recent was when Jussie appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he had a very candid and slightly defensive discussion about his sexuality. “There’s never been a closet that I’ve been in,” Jussie declared to Ellen. Of course this video clip went viral and made Jussie even more of a hero to a generation of young men who consider themselves gay but don’t want to be labeled as such. see more if this interview in bleumagazine.com

JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON

DENZEL WASHINGTON'S son JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON CURRENTLY STARS IN THE IT SHOW BALLERS WITH DEWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON AS A FOOTBALL PLAYER.Sure, Johnson is charismatic; his magnetic smile being one of his best features, but the show's other secret weapon has been newcomer John David Washington, son of Denzel Washington. After 10 episodes of the newcomer’s familar demeanor and voice inflections -- it still took a while for many to place the essence. So who is this bearded man of mystery, up next to carry the Washington torch of greatness? The 31-year-old Morehouse College graduate, who plays Ricky Jerret on the series, had a brief stint in the NFL for the St. Louis Rams in the 2006-2007 season. He also landed a tiny part in “Malcolm X,” where his father portrayed the civil rights leader. Now Washington graces the world as a volatile receiver for the Green Bay Packers on the series.

SANAA TALKS THE PERFECT GUY

The Perfect Guy follows a woman (Lathan) who is stalked by an ex-boyfriend (Ealy), while a former lover (Chestnut) fights to protect her. Rosenthal and Williams expect the story to reach all audiences, given its universal theme of dating in a technological age. On being born to act: “I was a toddler on Broadway, basically. My mom was in the original cast of The Wiz on Broadway. I was always around it, behind the scenes. My father is the first black director in TV. It gets no more in your face than that.” On being a celebrity: “I don’t feel like a celebrity until I’m doing interviews like this. I walk around in sweats. I’m not always hair and makeup ready, and I have real people around me. That’s the key. You can’t help but stay in pocket, because real people don’t tolerate anything else.” On her next career move: “I am moving into the behind-the-scenes aspect now. When you’ve been in the business so long, you say to yourself, “I know how to do this.” I know you can never say never, but I’ll never stop acting. I’ll just keep adding to what the word “performance” ultimately means to me.“

NEVER SAYING GOODBYE TO THE BEACH

THE END OF SUMMER IS HERE AND I WON'T SAY GOODBYE TO THE BEACH BUT WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME WE MEET AGAIN.

HAIR ENVY

I ENVY BEAUTY THICK NATURAL HAIR.

DISNEY COMMERCIAL FEATURING ANGELA BASSETT, COURTNEY VANCE AND KIDS

Vacations are always fun at Disney World. Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance and the kids tell fans why they love the theme park so much. “I’ve been coming to Disney World since I was about fourteen because I grew up in Florida,” says Angela. “So I’m so happy to be able to share that with my family. There’s something for everyone.” Although they didn’t grow up in the Sunshine State like mom, Bronwyn and Slater have enjoyed the adventure that is Disney World. “My favorite thing at Disney World is getting on all the rides and being scared,” shares Slater. “I love Tea Cups,” adds Bronwyn. Outside of having immeasurable fun with the kids, Courtney and Angela like to spend a bit of grown up time at the restaurants. “When we have a bit of time on our own here at Disney World, outside of the children, we like to go to the various restaurants,” says Courtney. The actor adds, “I love coming here.”

BEYONCE FLASH TATTOOS

Beyoncé has been a longtime fan of Flash Tattoos, wearing them in countless now-iconic Instagram shots and concerts. Now, she’s taken her fandom one step further, collaborating with Flash Tattoos to create her own edgy, artistic line. Tattoo options include a mix of honeycomb and signature beehive-inspired designs, cuff bracelets and medallion necklaces and even lyrics from her most famous songs, all in chic black and glimmering gold shades. CHECK OUT BEYONCE FLASH TATTOOS FLASHTAT.COM

KERRY WASHINGTON COVER SELF MAGAZINE

Watch this video on The Scene.

KERRY WASHINGTON 38, LIKES TO WAKE UP AT 6:30 AM AND DO PILATES. SHE EVEN MOVED TO INDIA AFTER COLLEGE AND BECAME A CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR. WASHINGTON IS A NEW MOTHER WITH A HIT TELEVISION SHOW SCANDAL WHICH HAS MANY FANS ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR IT'S RETURN THIS FALL. WASHINGTON ENJOYS WORKING OUT EARLY SO THAT SHE CAN GET HOME TO SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH HER HUSBAND FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER NNAMDI ASOMUGHA AND THEIR 17-MONTH DAUGHTER, ISABELLE. WASHINGTON LIKES TO WORK OUT IN ORDER TO LIVE THE WAY SHE WANTS TO AND FURTHER STATES THAT WHEN SHE DOESN'T WORK OUT SHE TENDS TO FEEL WORSE, NOT BETTER. READ MORE ABOUT KERRY WASHINGTON'S BALANCING ACT IN SEPTEMBER 2015 SELF MAGAZINE.

UNSTOPPABLE

RAY EDWARDS SEXY KONTROL MAGAZINE PHOTOSHOOT

Ray Edwards is looking summertime fine! For The Body Issue of Kontrol Magazine, Atlanta Falcons Player Ray Edwards decided to show readers another side of him. And we’re not just talking about that chiseled chest either. He’s not your typical NFL player; in fact, he is one that wears many hats such as a professional boxer, philanthropist and a model.

LAURYN HILL SINGS "FEELING GOOD" BY NINA SIMONE

I LOVE LAURYN HILL AND SHE DOES A CLASSIC REDENTION OF NINA SIMONE'S "FEELING GOOD" Singer, pianist and activist Nina Simone is having a revival 12 years after her death. A documentary called "What Happened, Miss Simone?" was released last month, and two more films are due later this year. There's also "Nina Revisted," an all-star tribute album with new treatments of Simone's most iconic songs.

RECORD BREAKING IDRIS ELBA IS THE FIRST EVER SOLO MAN TO COVER MAXIM MAGAZINE

Most men would be ecstatic to break a world record in a lifetime. Idris Elba just broke his second in less than three months. The 42-year-old has become the first ever male to appear solo on the cover of Maxim Magazine 'We've never in US Maxim history had a man on the cover solo,' editor-in-chief Kate Lanphear told Racked on Tuesday. 'This is the very first time, and there was no one else in the world more badass than Idris.' Although men have appeared on flip covers and have also starred alongside women throughout the mag's 20 year history, a guy has never appeared on his own until this September's issue. Under the fitting headline 'Man Up', it describes its cover star as an 'actor, musician, racecar driver and all-around badass'. The man himself looks smoldering in a heavy black and grey animal-print jacket, which matches his trademark salt and pepper beard. 'For me, he was really the perfect embodiment of what I think the new Maximman is,' Lanphear continued. 'He's multi-dimensional, he's complex, he's sophisticated, but he's down to earth.

EMPIRE PROMOTIONAL PICS

TARAJI P. HENSON JUSSIE SMOLLET bryshere "yazz" Gray GRACE GEALEY (ANIKA, AKA BOO BOO KITTY) EMPIRE'S SECOND SEASON WILL BE PREMIERING THIS FALL. CAN'T WAIT WE WILL LEARN MORE ON THE BACKGROUND OF THE FAMILY DYNAMIC AND HOPEFULLY A LONGER SEASON.