Friday Fine and Fabulous @ Forty Club: Queen Latifah

That’s right!  All Hail the Queen, Y’all,

 

 

She is so relevant right now.  I know many of you might have seen the posters even the trailers promoting her new film “Just Wright,” with Common coming out this May.  So, what do you think?  The only thing not weird about the photo is the basketball.

I wish I can start by saying, let’s not get into a debate about the Queen outing herself.  More on that later as, because as you might imagine, this is one of the biggest reasons the Passions is chatting about her this morning.

She has arguably navigated one of the most successful careers in Hollywood – that we can honestly relate to as women of color.  From Hip-Hop to Jazz – from Film to Commercial actress, Dana Owens has created an enviable and unstoppable trajectory.  She is fierce beyond words, and frankly, I’m proud of this sister.

Born and raised in Newark in 1970 (Welcome to the 4-0 Queen) this Grammy Award winning, Oscar nominated artist has taken no prisoners.  Beginning with beatboxing with rap group Ladies Fresh, she caught the eye of Fab Five Freddy who at the time was doing Yo MTV raps.  Signed to Tommy Boy Records, she released her first album “All Hail the Queen,” in 1989.  Like, how can anyone forget ooh, Ladies first, Ladies first?  The video?  The lyrics?  Come on, this was taking girl power to a whole nother level if you know what I mean.

From there Queen released a few more albums but the acting bug bit her.  From 1993-1998 she starred in Living Single – in my opinion, enabling a few black actresses and actors to get a decent acting role.  Moving on to film in House Party 2 and Jungle Fever lead her to everyone’s favorite Latifah role, playing Cleo, a lesbian role in “Set it Off.”

 

 “Set it Off ,” gave Latifah critical acclaim and the roles just started rolling in, from playing opposite Angelina Jolie and Denzel Washington in the “Bone Collector,” to “Chicago,” “Bringing the Down the House,” “Barbershop,” and the list goes on.  Becoming a spokeswoman for Covergirl became a gig of a lifetime for her and you can hear her voice overs touting Pizza Hut.

Queen is big on keeping her personal life to herself although she is quite vocal with respect to the accidental death of her brother Lancelot.  His passing devastated Dana and in a couple of tv biographies of her life, she speaks of the loss of her brother quite passionately.

Regarding her love life?  Listen, I respect the Queen’s decision to keep her own passions on the lee-low.  At least she is  not running around with some dude on her arm declaring him as her fiance.  But, when photos like this one pops out, it’s a little hard to deny one’s association to the sisterhood.

 

 

 

 

And the rumors mills have been cooking the story about Latifah’s 2007 proposal to her personal trainer Jeannette Jenkins for about a minute now. 

They make a lovely couple, don’t they?  And in this climate of celebrity outings, there has been a lot of rumbling that the Queen has been strategizing her coming out too.  According to my sources, just before the release of “Just Wright,” Latifah is scheduled to do a round of interviews to promote the film and – YES – officially “come out.”  Whether this is true or not, we will see.  If it is true, you can say you heard it here first, Ladies.  We certainly hope she does plan to represent.  In the meantime, here are some lovely photos of our Queen.

Happy Hump Day: Sexy Sasha

Well Hello Sexys!

Spring not feeling warm enough for ya?  Well here’s a young thing that will certainly make you think warm thoughts.  This is Sexy Sasha.  I think she is certainly worthy of some Hump Day love.  Don’t you?  (fanning myself – and SMDH).

TIT-ilating Tuesday: Dawn

Hi Lovelies,

I miss you.  And so I couldn’t let Tuesday go by without posting a gorgeous, titillating beauty.  So I give you Nadia Dawn.  Come on now, sing it with me – “Oh say can you see, by the DAWN’s juicy delights…….”

What more can anyone ask for:  hips, lips and – well YOU fill in the blank cuz it’s T-TUESDAY 🙂

Friday Fine & Fabulous @ Forty Club: Vivica Fox

Yes, the divine Fox that leads team Chocolate Cougar, the invincible Miss Vivica Fox is today’s Fine & Fabulous at 40 Vixen.

It’s so unfortunate that her claim-to-fame will always be associated with dating .50 – and a slight addiction to “the knife,” but in her defense, she’s worked hard to stay on her grind to navigate what is a successful career.  Born in South Bend, Indiana, this 45-year-old started off doing soaps (Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, Generations)  and other small tv roles.  But when she starred next to Will Smith in Independence Day and then “Set it Off” with our girls Latifah, Jada Pinkett-Smith (holler) and Kimberly Elise – Miss Viv became a household name.  Soul Food and Kill Bill were also big films for her.  Since then, Fox has appeared both in tv and film in smaller roles – but the sister somehow stays working in a not so welcoming (to mid-aged and women of color) Hollywood.

Earlier this year she did one of those famous Derek Blanks alter-ego photo shoots.  I think it kinda sums up her public personae.

And since we at the Passions love body shots – here are a few of Miss Viv, just because.

Good Morning, Lovelies!

The Passions of Lust Noir just wanted to take this moment to thank all of you who have stopped by and continue to visit the site.  I’ve noticed the rise in “interest” and it warms my heart to know that the content here is driving a little traffic this way.  And all of you are very much appreciated.  Sending you all nice wet kisses.

In the meantime, I was sort of fantasizing about who YOU are.  Yes, because I care.  So I’ve added this little poll below, just a general query to determine what your sexy is.  I thought it would be fun and once I get a decent amount of responses – I promise to post the results.

Hump Day: Some CANDY

Welcome to Hump Days Ladies.

Today, for your hump-a-licious pleasure, I present to you – Candace.  I figured I toss in a frontal shot at you just to mix things up a bit.  Doesn’t she make you wanna have a sweet tooth?

TIT-ilating Tuesday: Vanessa

Ah, Tuesdays

You know what it is.  And this gorgeous, heavenly creation might possibly beat that morning cup of coffee.  So sit back, relax and enjoy the splendor of Vanessa and let her lull you into a state of visual bliss.

Ta-tas!

Monday Music Muse: Janelle Monae

Good Morning Honeys,

The Passions had a rough night.  Couldn’t sleep a wink.  Logo was staring at me from the flat screen – their NewMusicNow video music series – and when Janelle Monae’s new video TIGHTROPE came on – it made me wanna sit up and notice.  There is something about this artist that has raised my eyebrow for quite a while.  You know I like to shoot the shit on orientation, but honestly, there is so much more that meets the eye on this one.  However, digging just a little deeper, in an interview she did on Ask Ellen, when asked about her sexual preference – her response was, well let’s just say “interesting.”

I love when I’m surrounded by very fearless individuals that don’t worry too much about how others may perceive them, their artistic vision or sexual orientation. I like people who are aware of stereotypes but they don’t care too much about it and they live their life very free. I like givers, lovers, imaginative minds. I just really like artists.

Hmmmm……what do you think?  I posted the vid here.  Take a look at her style and swagger and you tell me what you think.  And while you’re at it, check the music and check the dance moves.  She’s kinda fly.  Free thinking, trend resisting, extremely beautiful and blatantly androgynous – her latest CD ArchAndroid comes out in May.  I have a feeling we should GO GET THAT!

Friday Fine @ Fab @ 40 Club: Halle (Marie) Berry

Good Morning Lovelies,

This morning we are recognizing one the most powerful women in Hollywood not to mention by far, the most beautiful, ever. Yeah – I said it.  Yes, the incomparable, Ms. Halle Berry is our Friday Fine & Fab @ Forty Beauty today.

Born August 14 in Cleveland, Ohio, at 44, this drama diva commands one of the highest salaries in Hollywood.  And since she is the first African-American woman to receive the Academy Award for Best Actress, you can understand why she remains a force to be reckoned with.   Her film career started with Spike Lee in “Jungle Fever,” Eddie Murphy’s love interest in “Boomerang” (by far one of my favorite all time films) and things continued from there including Berry portraying a Bond Girl to bringing Dorothy Dandridge to life on screen, her role model and inspiration.  It’s no secret that Berry is often linked to her leading men (and I will leave it at that – but then again, why shouldn’t she…I guess).  Married twice, to Yankee slugger David Justice and to R&B crooner Eric Benet – Halle realized the institution was not something well-suited to her.  Berry earned her first million for a film role in Executive Decision in 93.  In 2004 she earned $14 million in her role in Cat Woman.  Her filmography is quite impressive.  After the birth of her extremely darling daughter, 2yr old Naula Ariela Aubrey by her gorgeous partner and boy-toy model Gabriel Aubrey – she is busy choosing her projects more carefully while luxuriating in her vast success.

Some Fierce Facts:

• In high school, was an honor society member, editor of the school paper, and class president. Was also crowned prom queen.
• Her favorite actresses are Dorothy Dandridge, Jodie Foster and Whoopie Goldberg.
• She has been voted the most sexiest, the most beautiful and one of Hollywood’s best dressed celebrities in Hollywood.
• She is half-British on her Mother’s side – Her Mum was born in Liverpool.
• Her measurements are 36C 22 37
• She was given her Oscar-winning role of Leticia Musgrove in Monster’s Ball after Angela Bassett and Vanessa Williams declined the role.
• She is partially deaf in her left ear (80 percent) and has Type 2 Diabetes
• She is estranged from her older sister Heidi
• Her annual earnings is over $14 million
• She received the 2,333 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007

Halle Berry quotes:

On her Identity:  “I don’t see a white woman.  I see a black woman even though my Mother is white.  Knowing that has made my life easier.”

On Acting:  “What is my real purpose here? I’ve looked at what I do. I make believe and make movies. I entertain people and get paid for it. Sometimes it seems like such a shallow existence. How insignificant in the scheme of life.”

On her Love Life:  “I guess you could say I have bad taste in men. But I no longer feel the need to be someone’s wife.  I always hate to say never to anything, but I will never marry again.”

On Motherhood:  “You think you know what love is – until you have a child and discover that unconditional mother love.”  Doesn’t that make you love her even more? 

Enjoy the album I put together below.  Any gaydar flying up?  Nope.  Ask me do I think she’s engaged in same-sex liaisons?  I have to go with a big yes, for reasons that I care not to divulge on these pages (wink-wink).

Thirsty Thursday: Eva Marcille (Pigford)

Okay.  So this is not a real Thirsty Thursday because sources confirm that the intensely golden beauty Eva Marcille is definitely playing for team GIRL.  Now recent reports citing the break-up of her engagement/relationship with the dark and debonair Lance Gross was allegedly NOT because of Lance’s roving eye – which the media outlets seem to contend.  Sources are saying that it was actually because of Eva’s roving eye for the ladies which she couldn’t seem to control.  Considering the fact that both of these young cuties work with the powerful Tyler Perry machine it might be worth stating that the other rumors that I am hearing – that Pigford and Gross were really posing as each other’s beard might be closer to the truth.  If you take a peek at Tyler’s line of leading men, there are similarities as far as preference is concerned.  And Lance seems to fit that preference nicely.  But enough about the boys – this is about the gorgeous, fine ass Miss Eva.

Honestly my gaydar was going haywire when Eva first exploded on the scene on ANTM.  Ladies, you know what I’m talking about.  Some women just have “I like Girls,” written all over them – like Eva.  Her style alone is a dead giveaway.  Then the rumor engine started – Missy Elliott was immediately linked to her – even writing about her in one of her rhymes on “On & On,” that she did with Pharrell back in 2005:

“Every time I spit I blow one or two speakers
Top model diva but my name not Eva.”

I understand there is baggage with that relationship (I will not talk about Missy and her proclivities on these pages) – but that’s not uncommon.  Many friends of mine have seen Eva at parties.  Shoot, I’ve seen her.  The honie has swagger for days.  And not to mention, Eva possesses the kind of indisputable beauty that reigns power in her world.  So today on Thirsty Thursday, we welcome the hot, gorgeous Eva Marcille’s return to the ranks of our single lesbian population.  And you know you better work Eva – because you can bet your tight little ass you will certainly be in heavy demand.