Here's To A Great 2009!

To my faithful FG2BH readers, bloggers, and lurkers, here's to a great 2009!

Best dressed females in 2008 - Thandie Newton, Lola Ogunnaike, Iman, and Estelle.

Best dressed male in 2008 - Idris Elba

Best dressed couples in 2008 - Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons

Best editorials in 2008 - Nnenna's Jil Sander Fashion mag shoot, Alek Wek & Liya Kebede for ARISE, Iman for Italia Vogue, Oluchi & Ugo's Vogue Moment.

Fashion designer of 2008 - Project Runway finalist Korto Momolu

Best TV Moment - 2008 MTV Africa Music Awards

Actress of the Year - Sophie Okonedo (Oscar nominee)

Actor of The Year - Chiwetel Ejifor (two-time Golden Globes nominee + OBE receipent)

Model of The Year - Oluchi Onweagaba-Orlandi

Political figure - President-Elect Barack Obama (January 20th is Inauguration Day!)

Writer of the Year - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Her Latest Short Story)

Male Eye Candy - Ngo Okafor

Athlete of The Year - Osi Umenyiora (NY Giants Defensive End)

Song of the Year - "If She Knew" by Lemar

Comeback of the Year - Seal's "Soul" album

Ones to Watch in 2009: Lady Gold, Dr. Ben Igwe's "Against The Odds, and Chasity Nwagabara. (Read the full blog post over at FG2BH WORDPRESS)
Photos: AP, Getty, Wireimage, Linda Ikeji Blog

Afro/Naija News Catch-Up

Without further deplay, here's what I've been up to on my new blog, FG2BH.

The first ever (MAMA) kicked off in Abuja, Nigeria last week!

Read the full blog post here.

THISDAY presents "ARISE" magazine with Liya Kebede, Naomi Campbell & Alek Wek on the cover.

Read the full blog post here.

Alek Wek vs Liya Kebede in Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi: Who got IT better?

Read the full blog post here.

MAMA Africa Laid To Rest in South Africa.

Read the full blog post here.

Thanks Alicia Keys! Click the photo to see why.

Oluchi Onweagba introduces her son Ugo Orlandi to "Vogue" fashion.

Read the full blog post here.

STYLE TIDBITS WITH NNENNA, ESTELLE AND FATIMA

Cate Blanchett and Nnenna were seen in this Jil Sander silk chiffon S/S 2008 dress.

A then pregnant Cate attended the Sydney premiere of her film "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" back in March while Nnenna wore the same dress for a recent fashion magazine spread.

This fashion faceoff may seem as slightly unfair because Nnenna wore her dress for a photoshoot whereas Cate wore her look at red carpet event. I couldn't resisted matching up Nnenna with Cate's look.

Online Surveys & Market Research

The Jil Sander Spring 2008 dress in question:

Photo credits: Just Jared. Nnenna's myspace

Estelle jumped right on the latest shoe trend when she attended the latest "Indiana Jones" film premiere in a pair of bronze Yves Saint Laurent Tribute platform sandals. Golden Brooks, Jenny McCarthy and Keri Hilson were all seen in this fashion forward footwear.

Shortly after, I noticed this particular shoe a whole lot on the red carpet. Case in point, Kelly Rowland, Heidi Klum, an Olsen twin, Mariah Carey, and two Danity Kane members all wore this popular shoe:

That YSL price tag ($770) is sort of steep, so try this Steven Madden Aileenn shoe for $99.95!!

ONTD posted up these recent photos of Fatima Siad...

Fatima best known for being a Cycle 10 finalist on "America's Next Top Model." As you can tell from the photos, Fatima switch up her hair from long to short. Check out loads of Fatima's fashion photos over at ALL-ANTM.NET.

Photo credits: Shameer Khan/DN Photography

Keeping Up with The Obamas.

photo credits: AP Photo. PEOPLE.COM

The Obama Family on the August 4th cover of "People" magazine. [BlackCelebrityKids]
And here's the entire "People" interview. [People]
Check out the many magazine covers Barack has done so far. [Tycooning 101]
Michelle Obama joins the blogging community. [BlogHer]
Get inside Barack's thoughts! [Twitter]
Barack's overseas. [Black Voices Blog]

Rants/thoughts:
1. I cannot get enough of this Lauryn Hill track. Press play:

2. Jess from Genuine Imitation wants a "Waiting to Exhale" sequel...and I couldn't agree more! I always hope that movie would be turn into a TV series but then "Girlfriend" and "Soul Food" came along to answer my wish. Speaking of TV, what's up with all the drama in "The Hills" season 4 trailer???

• MTV


• Music Videos


• MTV Shows


• Entertainment News

3. My blog, Urban-Hoopla, got a fab mention on "The Best of Black Blogs" via Tocarra's Vogue Italia magazine appearance.
Toccara Rocks Vogue

"Get it Toccara. Vogue? Now dats what's up. No other blog covered this but they wanna cover that Eva Pigford b&#$% who ain't ever been inside a reputable magazine and ain't really doing s@^%. Now this is sexy right here." By Tyrone Biggums on Urban Hoopla

Blog for Blog features the best user comments from around the Web. We search through the best black blogs and other great sites to bring you the hottest one-liners about African-American celebrity gossip and important social issues.

Thanks to Black Voices Blog, Tyrone, and Jawn Murray!

UPDATE: Check out these two snapshots of Alek Wek and Iman from "Vogue Italia"....



Be sure to visit JEZEBEL for additional photos from "Vogue Italia"!

4. Wendy Williams finally got back on TV. I met Wendy during her last book press tour and I have to say she's tall and witty. Check out her interviews with Vivica A Fox and Omarosa:

Watch Vivica talk about her ex 50 Cent...again. I love Wendy's Nicole Miller dress...and Vivica's red Herve Leger dress. Hmm...that dress like the one Oluchi wore earlier this month.
Watch Omarosa clip here (Wendy and Omarosa argue...and I am grateful for REDLASSO.)

disclaimer: all rants/thoughts are in good humor!
Afro/Naija links:
1. Djimon Hounsou lands a role as Thulsa Doom. [It's All Reel]
2. Ebbe Bassey on Nollywood and more film projects. [Ladybrille]
3. Vogue Italia All-Black Issue has to be printed due to high demand. [Hip Candy]
4. Keep Up with CNN coverage on "Black In America". [What About Our Daughters]
5. Lola Ogunnaike looks fab in purple. [NSC Fashion Network]
6. Get to know Bernos, a Ethiopia-based tee-shirt line. [I Like Her Style]

STYLE SPOTLIGHT ON IMAN, ESTELLE AND ALEK WEK

Thanks to the good folks over at Style Watch, FG2BH has another 'got IT better' edition between Iman and Natalie Portman....

Photos: WIREIMAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Iman first wore this purple Lavin Spring 2008 ruffled dress to Barneys New York's Night Of Stars pre-party celebration.

Natalie Portman was recently seen in a similar dress at the "Blindness" opening night dinner at 61st International Cannes Film Festival.

SO, who got IT better: Iman or Natalie Portman? Vote/discuss...

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Credit: Style Watch

Estelle also have a foot fetish with these bronze Yves Saint Laurent tribute sandals. The "American Boy" hit maker was seen in these shoes TWICE...

I guess once a girl loves a style piece, it's hard to break away from it - just ask MJB, Danity Kane, Mariah, and Kelly Rowland. Don't act you fashionistas can't part with one fashion-forward piece in your wardrobe!

Estelle performed on "American Boy" on "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson".

Alek Wek appeared on the cover of "Surface" magazine - issue 72. I saw this over the weekend at my local Barnes & Noble. The magazine may be outdated or new but this is my first time seeing the cover so I scanned it for FG2BH readers...

Rants:
1. How long would it take for Naijas to have their own community? During my time in The Bronx, I woke up every morning in the Summer to a Hispanic-related community event. They would have parades and even their Church would have a festival! How about our own Naijas do the same?? Maybe I'm not living in the 'right' community but some of the Naijas I know enjoy their pride far too much to live next door to one another. These are the very people who enjoy attending a party for FREE than have their kids be friends with one another! (Things that make me go hmmm...)
2. Why is it SO hard to find a great and loyal seamtress that know how to make African traditional garments??!!


Disclaimer: rants are all in good humor!

Afro/Naija News:

• Flicks from Osi Umenyiora's Black Tie Affair in ATL [Necole Bitchie]
  
  
• Estelle performs "American Boy" for Craig Ferguson [Toya's World]
  
  
• Learn how to incorporate "Welcome To Naija" in your everyday lifestyle.
[Ladybrille]


• Check out the latest happenings in Angola. [Cangue]
  
  
• Check out this Covergirl AD featuring Fatima from ANTM Cycle 10. [Ebony Intuition]
  
  
• Read up on African Chew Stick [Remembering Ancient Knowledge]
  
  
• Check out the very best "Human Hair" extensions. [Hair By Azara]
  
  
• Basketmouth is now a proud father! [Linda Ikeji]
  
  
• Check out SoupASexy's Journal
[SoupASexy]


• Seven Global interviews Celestina Aladekoba about her cameon on "The Game". [Seven Global]
  
  
• Iman doesn't want black models to be caricatures [NY MAG]
  
  

In better late than never news, I'll leave you all with photos taken at this year's MET Costume gala. Djimon Hounsou, Liya Kebede, Thandie Newton and Iman were all there...

EDIT: The photobucket slide show isn't working so I made this instead...

Photos: STYLE.COM/WIREIMAGE

Style rundown: Iman in Dolce & Gabbana and Fred Leighton jewels.
Djimon Hounsou in Tom Ford.
Liya Kebede in Jonathan Saunders.
Thandie Newton in Chanel.

Who got their red carpet looks right and who didn't?

Thanks for all the e-mails/comments about my lack of posting. Hopefully, this week I can post one blog post a day. -Crosses fingers-

FATIMA SIAD AT HER FIRST RED CARPET GIG

Fatima Siad of America's Next Top Model Cycle 10 made her first red carpet outing at The CW Upfronts event. Sadly so, Fatima did NOT win this year's modeling competition. (Plus-sized model Whitney won.)

Photos: WIREIMAGE

Fatima made some strong yet interesting remarks about this year's "ANTM" competition...

"When [Claire Unabia] and [Lauren Utter] and [Katarzyna Dolinska] got kicked off, I was just like this whole thing is a joke," Siad told reporters during a Thursday conference call. "They look like models. If this supposed to be a modeling competition, one of them should have won or [Anya Kop] should have won. But it goes to show you that it might be about politics."

The reason why Siad thinks "politics" might have played a role is because Whitney Thompson, a 20-year-old student from Atlantic Beach, FL, became the first full-figured woman to win Top Model during Wednesday night's tenth-season finale.

"Whitney took great pictures and she definitely knows how to conduct herself -- she's very outspoken and she speaks really well," explained Siad. "I think that's why she won over Anya, otherwise I wanted Anya to win. Anya has that high-fashion look and she really knows how to model. But she lacks the confidence and speech skills that Whitney has."

In addition, Siad doesn't feel Thompson should be considered full-figured.

"To be quite honest, Whitney doesn't look like a plus-sized model to me. I feel like she doesn't look like a plus-size model, and therefore it's sending the wrong message because there are women who are actually full-figured and they see her and say, 'Wow, if she's a plus-size model than what am I?'" Siad told Reality TV World.

"But honestly I think it's about time if that's what it takes to change the face of fashion, than that's a tiny step. Hopefully we will have another woman who represents a larger portion of American plus-size models." [CONTINUE READING...]

Fatima HAS a point. I guess the "ANTM" production thought it was best to make 'history' (re: headlines) with their first ever plus-sized model. I was hoping they would pick Fatima instead so she'll become the first African-born model to win the competition. While on that topic, whatever happened to Nnenna?!

Alek Wek and Iman attended the 20th Annual American Image Awards in New York City. ANTM Cycle 10 top 3 finalist Fatima was there!

Photos: WIREIMAGE

Liya Kebede has a beautiful pictorial inside the June 2008 edition of "Vogue" magazine.

Ethiopian-born model Liya traveled with VOGUE's Sally Singer to Timbuktu for some good music. Along the way Liyda wore designs from D&G, Alexander McQueen, Cavalli, Chloe, Missoni, DVF, Balenciaga, DKNY, Stella McCartney, and Arden B.

Photos: Mikael Jansson for VOGUE
Anyhow else pleased that "VOGUE" actually used an African-born model to wear designer designs WHILE in Africa??!?! Usually when a fashion publication goes for an African tribal photo shoot, they tend use others expect ones that ARE from Africa. Liya did a great job...


Estelle has been on her grind ever since releasing her American debut record, "Shine". Check her out at various events worldwide...

At her album release party, "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano dressed Estelle using PUMA designs...

Siriano created her distinctive ruffle-neck dress by deconstructing three existing Puma tanks. What’s more, he’s dubbed the R&B artist a muse. He tells PEOPLE, “For me it’s really exciting because it’s great to work with an artist that wants to be more creative and more fashion forward. That’s why I love her. I mean how fabulous is she?”[OFF THE RACK]

Estelle even dropped by "Ellen" with John Legend to perform "Come Over" and "American Boy":

If you haven't purchased Estelle's "Shine", you have to get based off a few of my fave tracks...

Great stuff...
Rants:
1. Why are our women so obsessive with 'dark'/'light'? I swear if I hear these terms from another Nigerian woman's mouth, I'm going to say "Would you kindly look in the mirror"? The last time I went home I was given a skin lightener cream as a gift! What is up with that???!

2. Why are some of OUR men obsessed with marrying a light-skinned-uneducated-virgin-women?!?! Can you all explain this much to me?? This is the very same men that ran through all of the 'loose' girls in school. Things that make me go hmmm...

*disclaimer: all rants are meant in good humor


Afro/Naija News:

• Find out why African-Americans are resettling in Ghana. [Ebony Intuition]
  
• Can you list the most wanted Nigerian Artists? [Naija Sutra]
  
• Beyonce and Rihanna- the Ghana movie style [Expand Ur Hair-Izon]
  
• Get Familiar with Africa's Opera Divas. [LadyBrille]
  
• Essence magazine loves to recycle its cover stars.[Make Fetch Happen]
  
• Osi Umenyiora and girlfriend Selita will another public appearance tonight at Velvet ATL. [Velvet ATL]
  
• Barack Obama on Bush and McCain [CNN]
  
• How to rock a traditional African garment the RIGHT way. [Chike Ikechi]