{blackbabes} NASA responds to Beyonce's Challenger sample use

Days of Our Lives 2013

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — NASA officials say the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster "should never be trivialized" in response to a new song from Beyonce that features an audio sample recorded just after the craft exploded on takeoff in 1986, killing all seven crewmembers.

The space agency issued the statement late Tuesday after the pop star began to receive criticism from Challenger families and others for using the short sample that includes the words "major malfunction" as an allusion to a failed relationship.

"The Challenger accident is an important part of our history; a tragic reminder that space exploration is risky and should never be trivialized," said the statement from Lauren B. Worley, NASA's press secretary. "NASA works every day to honor the legacy of our fallen astronauts as we carry out our mission to reach for new heights and explore the universe."

NASA's response came after Beyonce explained the use of the short snippet in a statement to ABC News Tuesday that stopped short of an apology. The sample appears at the beginning of her song "XO" from her new self-titled album.

Among those critical of the sample was June Scobee Rodgers, widow of Challenger commander Dick Scobee. She told ABC in a statement that she was disappointed and described the use of the sample as "emotionally difficult."

"My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster," Beyonce's statement said. "The song 'XO' was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you. The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten."

Beyonce released her new self-titled "visual album" earlier this month that included 14 songs and 17 videos. Much of the initial discussion about the album had to do with its surprise release and platinum sales until the reaction to the Challenger sample began to circulate.

"XO" is about a failing relationship and taking the time to appreciate what one has in the moment because life changes.

Beyonce's publicist did not return messages left Tuesday by The Associated Press.

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{blackbabes} T-Boz -- The New Year's Song SUCKS ... 'That S**t's Corny'

Days of Our Lives 2013

T-Boz doesn't want to forget old acquaintance ... in fact, she HATES the whole New Year's Eve song "Auld Lang Syne" ... telling TMZ it's the worst piece of crap she's ever heard.

The TLC member went off on the song at LAX today ... claiming she had never even heard it before our guy sang it for her.

But after she went through the lyrics, she really got mad ... explaining that no authentic NYE song would be complete without the lyrics, "F**k 'dem hoes."

True dat.

Happy New Year, bitches.

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{blackbabes} Selita Ebanks' 3 Rules for Winter Fashion

Elementary, Season 2 - Elementary

 

Selita Ebanks knows what it takes to look flawless. She is a supermodel after all.

This former Victoria's Secret Angel has walked catwalks for Ralph Lauren and Catherine Malandrino, posed for massive retailers like Neiman Marcus and has appeared in mega-glossies like Vogue, Glamour and Sport Illustrated. Translation: She's worked with the best of the best, so clearly she has a few fashion tricks up her sleeve—especially when it comes to the secret for dressing super-chic this winter.

So, when we ran into the model at the Club Monaco flagship store opening in New York City, we had to get the scoop: How does one actually stay warm and posh when battling those blustery temps? Well, according to Selita, you only need to follow three simple rules to achieve ultimate winter style success.

Here's what she shared:

1. Rock a Chunky Sweater: "A chunky sweater is a must during the winter," she says. "It's freezing outside!" Try a nubby fisherman-style knit or a fuzzy mohair pullover and pair with black skinny jeans or a flippy leather skirt and black opaque tights for an effortlessly cool off-duty look. Just ensure the sweater isn't too baggy where you look like you're drowning in the fabric.

2. Load Up on Accessories: In your bulky duds? A simple way to make any look instantly sexier is to pile on the accessories. "A ton of accessories is a must," she says. "Jewelry, hats, gloves, whatever." Our suggestion? Wear a chunky, embellished bib necklace over that chunky sweater to glam it up and top off your entire look with a basic beanie for a so-right-now vibe. 

3. Step Into Boots: The simplest way to warm up your tootsies when you step into that icy-cold air? Rock a great pair of boots, of course. "I'm really into thigh-high boots right now," she says. "I just got a new pair from Christian Louboutin that are insane." Thigh-highs not your thing? That's okay. A suede ankle bootie or a to-the-knee style is just as fierce.

Great tips, Selita.

Tell us, will you take her advice into consideration when you're getting dressed this winter?

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{blackbabes} Ankle fears make for a serener Serena

 

Elementary, Season 2 - Elementary

BRISBANE (Reuters) - Serena Williams' inconsistent displays are usually accompanied by angry self-chastisement, but the greater fear of her ankles not surviving through January saw the world number one in phlegmatic mood despite her far-from-perfect first WTA outing of the season.

In 2012, Williams' left ankle forced her to pull out of the Brisbane International and led to an early departure from the Australian Open when she was beaten by American compatriot Sloane Stephens.

After the loss, Williams sent a picture on Twitter of her grotesquely swollen right ankle.

"I always tape (the ankles) pretty high, but I put extra wraps on them today," Williams said after her 6-4 6-4 victory over Andrea Petkovic in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"I told my physio, let's do some extra ones. I don't want anything to happen. Please.

"I have it down to a science, so (it takes) just 15, 20 minutes.

"I think it is (mental). But at the same time, it definitely wasn't mental when I took those falls ... I just don't want that anymore."

Misfiring efforts prompted calm practice shots on Tuesday. A rueful smile followed an embarrassing air swing at the net and her celebrations after big points, though involving the standard fist pumps, were quieter than usual.

While her serve and ground strokes both need improving in the next fortnight, Williams is happy with where her physical condition is as she aims for a sixth tournament victory at Melbourne Park.

"My fitness is definitely where it should be," Williams said. "I felt great out there. Never actually felt winded."

Indeed, her only gripe post-match was with her earrings, a Christmas present from sister Venus, which fell out during the first set.

"I'm going to complain to Venus and make her buy me something new."

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{blackbabes} S. Williams begins season with 2nd-round win

Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 - Sons of Anarchy

BRISBANE, Australia — Serena Williams did a quick little dance behind the baseline to remind herself to move her feet. After a complete air swing at the net in the second set, she smiled ruefully and drew in some long, deep breaths.

She netted a service return on her first match point.

Top-ranked Williams' first competitive match of the season, on New Year's Eve, was by no means perfect, but the 6-4, 6-4 win over Andrea Petkovic at the Brisbane International was a decent start against a player who has been ranked as high as No. 9.

Williams made 36 unforced errors, including the big miss on Petkovic's floater in the fifth game of the second set, but hit 35 winners and fired 11 aces including one at 196 kph (122 mph) to bring up set point in the first.

"It was an intense match, which was really good," Williams said. "She's been in the top 10 before and she was on her way to being even better. It was a good match for me." Petkovic is on her way back up the rankings after missing most of 2012 with injuries and started this season at No. 39.

Williams started 2013 in Brisbane with a title, the first of 11 for a year that included two major championships. She's back with the aim of carrying the momentum into 2014. And she's already into the quarterfinals where she'll meet ninth-seeded Dominika Cibulkova, who overcame 43-year-old Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Williams had a win-loss record of 78-4 last season and spent all but seven weeks atop the rankings, and she hasn't lowered her expectations for the year ahead.

"I had a similar question in 2012. I had such a good year winning two slams and a (Olympic) gold and two doubles. It was a lot," she said. "I just didn't think I could do better. Arguably I may have done better (in 2013), so I'm just going to be up for that challenge again."

The other featured women's player in Brisbane, third-seeded Maria Sharapova, received a walkover into the quarterfinals when her Australian opponent, 17-year-old qualifier Ashleigh Barty, withdrew with a left thigh injury on Tuesday evening.

Sharapova and Barty were scheduled to play Wednesday.

Barty, who will also miss next week's Hobart International, went through three rounds of qualifying in Brisbane to book her place in the main draw. She beat Daniela Hantuchova in the first round of the main draw.

"It's a tough decision but a smart one that we have to make," Barty said. "It's pretty much just I need give myself, my body, 10 to 12 days to recover and hopefully be right for the Australian Open."

In another second-round match, fourth-seeded Jelena Jankovic beat Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 6-3.

On the men's side, Lleyton Hewitt beat Australian qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3, 7-5, sixth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain had a 6-4, 6-4 win over Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan and No. 8 Jeremy Chardy beat fellow Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (4) 7-5.

There was a big upset in the WTA's ASB Classic at Auckland, New Zealand, where top-seeded Roberta Vinci of Italy lost 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to 259th-ranked Ana Konjuh of Croatia. Konjuh, who celebrated her 16th birthday last Friday, is the reigning Australian and U.S. Open girls singles champion.

Fourth-seeded Sorana Cirstea of Romania and former champion Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium both lost to qualifiers, while second-seeded Ana Ivanovic and No. 3 Kirsten Flipkens advanced.

Former No. 1-ranked Ivanovic overcame a sore shoulder and saved four set points on serve on her way to a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over American Alison Riske.

The second-seeded Ivanovic required treatment during the second set and played the latter stages with her right shoulder strapped.

At 3-5 and 0-40 down in the second, she faced the prospect of a difficult third set but strung together a series of powerful serves to save the game, then broke Riske to force a tiebreak.

At the Hopman Cup in Perth, Flavia Pennetta and Andreas Seppi beat Samantha Stosur and Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-4 in the mixed doubles to give Italy a 2-1 win over Australia in Group A.

Pennetta beat Stosur 6-4, 6-4 in the singles before Tomic levelled with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Seppi. It was Australia's second loss in the tournament.

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{blackbabes} Kerry Washington does Tracy Anderson's pregnancy workout

Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 - Sons of Anarchy

Pregnant Kerry Washington is keeping in shape while shooting "Scandal," which is chopping its third season from 22 episodes to 18 because of her impending maternity.

The actress was spotted leaving the Tribeca studio of trainer Tracy Anderson, who offers a Pregnancy Project workout that's been favored by Kim Kardashian and others.

Washington is reportedly six months along with hubby Nnamdi Asomugha's baby. But ABC has given no official reason for shortening the third season.

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{blackbabes} Jay Z and Beyonce vegans no longer

Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 - Sons of Anarchy

Jay Z's vegan diet is over.

The rapper and music mogul announced Dec. 3, on his 44th birthday, that he and wife Beyoncé were embarking on a vegan diet for 22 days. On Sunday, the couple seemed to celebrate by eating some seriously non-vegan treats at Miami hot spot Seasalt and Pepper.

Spies told Page Six that the restaurant's chef Alfredo Alvarez arrived at the power couple's table to specifically ask them what they'd prefer to eat, and the pair then noshed on pappardelle, lobster ­risotto and seafood casserole.

Afterward, Jay and Bey ran into singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, and the couples snapped a photo together, which Gloria posted on Twitter.

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{blackbabes} 'Grimm' Season 3: Meet Sharon Leal, Hank's new love interest

Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 - Sons of Anarchy

Love is in the air for Hank (Russell Hornsby) on "Grimm."

Some new photos from the upcoming episode "Red Menace," courtesy of TVLine, reveal the new lady who has captured Hank's eye. Played by "Hellcats" alum Sharon Leal, the new character named Zuri is a physical therapist who helps Hank.

"He gets involved in something that involves a loved one of hers very dearly, and they sure look like they're falling for one another, but you never know," series co-creator James Kouf teases to the site. Co-creator David Greenwalt adds, "Yeah, she's the one who helps him get back him on his foot."

"Grimm" returns at 9 p.m. ET Friday (Jan. 3) on NBC. The synopsis for "Red Menace" reads, "Nick and Hank investigate a Wesen 'healer' whose ability holds risks that far outweigh its rewards. Meanwhile, Juliette takes in a friend when domestic issues escalate and Hank makes a move on his physical therapist Zuri. Elsewhere, Captain Renard finally tracks down Adalind and has a stern warning for her. Silas Weir Mitchell, Bree Turner and Reggie Lee also star."

Take a look at the pics from the episode:

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{blackbabes} Beyoncé Puts Herself in the Middle of The Last Supper-Take a Look!

Sons of Anarchy, Season 6 - Sons of Anarchy

Beyoncé was apparently inspired by an iconic work of art today.

The singing diva was very active on Instagram throughout the day, posting numerous photos of herself in Miami and hinting that she may be creating something new to share with fans in the recent future.

But one specific photo of hers captured more attention than the others. In the picture, Bey, dressed in a bright green skirt and light pink bustier, sits on a countertop while looking off to the side in the middle of a group of people at a table, imitating Leonardo DaVinci's famous religious painting The Last Supper.

The celeb didn't write a caption with the picture, so the reasoning behind the photograph remains a mystery. For now, anyway.

Her Instagram post came shortly after Bey was under some hot water for using an audio clip from the NASA Challenger explosion which claimed seven American lives in 1986 in her track "XO."

Some individuals close to the situation called the singer "insensitive" for sampling audio from the tragedy, but the singer herself responded Dec. 30, telling ABC News the controversial clip was included "in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten."

"My heart goes out to the families of those lost in the Challenger disaster," she told ABC News. "The song 'XO' was recorded with the sincerest intention to help heal those who have lost loved ones and to remind us that unexpected things happen, so love and appreciate every minute that you have with those who mean the most to you."

"The songwriters included the audio in tribute to the unselfish work of the Challenger crew with hope that they will never be forgotten," she added.

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