Mo'nique Proves That She Was Offered To Play Cookie Lyon On Fox's Empire

Mo’Nique openly admitted to being blackballed in the industry, and so she’s been on a non-stop promo trail to clear her name and repair her tarnished rep. In a recent visit to Sway in the Morning, Mo’Nique dug up some old emails to prove she was considered for the role of Cookie.

Weeks back, Mo’Nique claimed she was offered the role of Cookie Lyons on Empire. However lead writer Danny Strong denied this, saying she at no point was offered the role. Given the conflicting versions of the story, it was clear that someone was incorrect. Well, Mo’Nique was able to pull together some emails between herself and Lee Daniels’ reps proving she was a top choice for the role. “I take pride in my character” says Mo’Nique. “When you put it on the line like that and people begin to question me about my character–and these aren’t strangers, these are folks that know me. We done been in conversations; we done broke bread together. So, I wanted to bring the e-mails to you. And you can read them publicly or privately…I just wanted to put it out there, ‘Hey guys, clear my name.’ That’s it.”

The first email Sway read proved Mo’Nique was considered for the role of Cookie.

Feb 18, 2014

Good Afternoon, 

Lee Daniels had a conversation with Mo’Nique about his new television pilot for Imagine Tv/Fox called “Empire.” We would like to screen test her for the role of ‘Cookie.’ Please contact us with her television quotes, so that we can start a test, option, deal. We are tentatively looking at Monday, Feb 24 for the screen test. 

Kim Kardashian Honored By Variety Magazine

According to Variety Magazine, Kim Kardashian West is doing more than just breaking the internet

The reality TV star covers the glossy, entertainment publication’s 2015 “Power of Women” New York issue, as they honor five women who are using their clout to bring attention to worthy causes. The honorees include: Whoopi Goldberg, Rachel Weisz,Lena Dunham and Glen Close.

While most know Her as a sex, starlet is actually spends a lot of her free time at the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles visiting sick kids.

Jay Electronica Talks About His Mission In Nigeria, Fela & Defending Kanye West

Jay Electronica is making his press rounds. During a trip to Nigeria, the Roc Nation rapper sat down with The Morning Rush show hosts, Olisa and Maria, on  The Beat 99 to speak on his new mission in Africa, music, influences and hot-button global personality, Kanye West. 

On his mission in Nigeria:
“Like any black man in America, I was disconnected from myself and from my family and that’s why I’m here in Nigeria, to reconnect with my family. I’ve been disconnected for a long time, so more importantly than the music that’s the main reason why I’m here. The music is secondary.”

On being influenced by Fela:“
“I grew up with my Mom playing Fela. Of course like nowadays I’ve heard of the Don Jazzys, the Ice Prince, the Wizkids, but when Nigeria pops into my mind, the first thing that pops into my mind is Fela which is a beautiful thing to pop into anybody’s mind. Like I said, I’m back home. The music is secondary, but I’m here to connect. Primarily, or I would say, specifically on behalf of Roc Nation, bridge building. But generally just bridge building between the black people in America and back here. It could be Don Jazzy or it could just be a guy in the basement somewhere on the mainland. I’m willing to work with whoever’s available to work.”

Ciara Opens Up About Her Relationship With Future

On the Status of Her and Future

Well you know, I mean, it clearly didn’t work out. But I have the greatest gift; the greatest joy in my life is my son. Honestly, I feel like everything in life happens for a reason and my son has been the greatest gift that God has given me in my life. He has been the most game changing thing in my life in a necessary way. So that’s pretty much what happened.

I can’t really break all that down (for why we broke up) you know, because I don’t really think all that matters to tell you the truth, especially when the ending is as great it is, with my son. You know, that’s what worked out. My son.

  

JayZ Speaks On WHY Tidal & Its 'The Rich Get Richer' theme

Its only been few days since the re launch of the rather controversial Tidal. Fans still cant seem to get their answers as to why Tidal and not Spotify or iTunes? So Jay Z went on record to set a few things straight regarding Spotify and the Tidal's Rich Get Richer theme which is mainly to protect the artist and sustain their lavish lifestyle. 

How does TIDAL tend to shift its current perception as a pretentious, self-serving platform for the musical elite, to one referencing the brand essence of being all and for all artists?


J: I guess by having a conversation, and telling people what it is. That opinion came before we even explained what it was — "This thing is horrible! … What is it?" You know? You never hear Tim Cook's net worth whenever he tries to sell you something. Steve Jobs, God bless, he had to have been pretty rich — nobody's ever said, "Oh, the rich getting richer! I won't buy an iPhone!" Yeah, right. It's not about being pretentious; again, this is a thing for all artists. You pay $9.99 for Spotify, so why not $9.99 for TIDAL. We're not asking for anything else, we're just saying that we'll spread that money to artists more fairly.

Sevyn Streeter's Bedroom Logic; Never Say NO!

The 28-year-old singer, Sevyn Streeter was at breakfast club earlier and talked about her current boyfriend, B.O.B and how she believes women in relationships should never say NO to their man when its 'bedroom' time! She believes in not killing the fun and she shared her logic with the trio. 

I think when you’re with somebody you love or trust or whatever, I think that it’s important you don’t kill the fun.
Me and my friends have this conversation all the time. I think that when you commit to somebody and take them off the market, I think that it is your job, as a woman or a man, to–I don’t think you should ever say, ‘no.’ Anal sex I’m not into, but I mean if you’re tired–‘Oh I’m tired, I don’t feel like it.’ No, because at the end of the day, you took that person off the market. They can’t go and be with somebody else because they’re with you. So, don’t you ever say no.

Paula Patton Feels Like A Real Woman After Her Divorce

The actress met and began dating Robin Thicke when she was only 16. After being together for over 10 years, they got married in 2005, but then got divorced 10 years later. Essentially, prior to getting a divorce, Paula has truly never been completely independent.

It’s something she talked about during a recent stop at The Meredith Vieira Show. Paula revealed that she went from her parents’ house straight to living with Robin and now that they’re no longer together, she feels like an actual adult.

She explained:

It’s been a long year and lot of challenges, but I’ve grown quite a bit and just getting used to change. I live in a place of gratitude.

In growing up, I became–I moved from my parents’ house to moving in with Robin Thicke and now I’m becoming an adult. I’m really like a real woman now.