RASHIDA JONES GOES BOTH WAYS FOR NEW ROLE

Following up her role in The Social Network, actress Rashida Jones (yes, she's Quincy's daughter) takes a lesbian turn with Zooey Deschanel in the summer comedy Our Idiot Brother which hits theaters August 26. Peep the trailer below:

I first noticed Rashida back in 2007 when she was on-the-scene with childhood friend Nicole Richie. Next thing i knew, Rashida nabbed a role on Parks & Recreation. Rashida reminisces about her journey with GQ joking,

"I feel like I've come a long way from my first job, when I had to get mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Rip Torn."

FASHION QUICKIE: SOLANGE & TREY SONGZ GET SUITED

My favorite celeb looks of the week come from singers Solange Knlowes and Trey Songz. Solange wore a tailored, banana-colored suit to the NYC Carol's Daughter launch, meanwhile, Trey rocked a classic tux to the 2011 FiFi Awards at the Lincoln Center.  

What's your verdict on their looks?

imagery: FilmMagic, Getty

AMBER ROSE COVERS VIBE MAGAZINE

Amber Rose is splitting the cover of VIBE's June/July sexy* issue with Rick Ross (who appears on his cover topless). I guess she doesn't have much else to talk about, so Rose dishes on her relationships with Kanye West, Reggie Bush, and Wiz Khalifa. Click over to VIBE for her exact words. 

*Amber, Who taught you how to get sexy? Yeezy taught me. 

ABC RELEASES 'SCANDAL' TRAILER (STARRING KERRY WASHINGTON)

I LOVE me some Kerry Washington. Hands down, she is my favorite actress so i'm super excited to share that Kerry is starring in Scandal, a new ABC series created by Shonda Rhimes (who also created Grey’s Anatomy).

Here's a quick synopsis: Washington stars as Olivia Pope who dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation’s elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter—both professionally and personally—but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past.

Seems like the perfect role for Kerry who is very active in government and is often spotted in D.C. Scandal is slated to premiere mid-season (early 2012). And yes, that's Columbus Short. 

CELEBS OBSERVE BEYONCE APPRECIATION DAY

Finally! A YouTube parody with some life. ThisisMackTv...you're a fool for this one, but i NEEDED this laugh today. 

Check out your favorite celebs such as Janet Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Kevin (from The Skorpion Show), Michelle Williams and many, many more as they observe Beyoncé Appreciation Day*.   

*Not an actual holiday.  

QUICK JAM: "THE MOON AND THE SKY (REMIX)" SADE FT. JAY-Z

Take a break from Oprah-mania  and get into this good music! Two of my favorite artists, Sade & Jay-Z, join forces on the remix of Sade's "The Moon and The Sky," and i can't stop playing this track.  If you haven't heard this song before, do yourself a favor and press play.

BEYONCE PERFORMS "RUN THE WORLD (GIRLS)" ON OPRAH

I was minding my own business and prepping a post about the worst Britney Spears performances, but then someone in my Twitter timeline was discussing Beyoncé's performance of "Run The World (Girls)" on Oprah. I immediately rushed to YouTube to focus my attention on things of more importance; I'll save Britney's half-ass dancing and lip syncing for a rainy day.

The final countdown to the last Oprah Show (airs May 25tth) began today, and today's show ended with Beyoncé celebrating Oprah as a woman who's persuasion "can build a nation." B's performance is a tad more tame than her Billboard Awards showing, but still worth a watch:

AROUND THE NET

If you missed last nights Billboard Music Awards, click over to [Mr. World Premiere] to catch all the performances. Trust me, you'll want to see Beyoncé's performance!

Will you be watching season 3 of Basketball Wives?  Peep the extended preview over at [Mrs. Grapevine]. 

It's not gay, if it's in a three-way!  At least that's what Justin Timberlake & Gaga say on SNL. [Carlton Jordan] has the hilarious skit.

[The Smoking Jacket] has the 2011 Playboy Sex Survey report. Interesting stats like "13% of readers would never tell current/future partners that...they were diagnosed with an STD."

KELLY ROWLAND & MICHELLE WILLIAMS AT THE 2011 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

Singers Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams attended the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand in Vegas tonight to support their girl, Beyoncé, who was honored with the Millennium Award.

Both ladies rocked sexy, short dresses. It's always exciting to see the ladies from Destiny's Child all together at an industry event since they're all soaring solo at the moment. 

imagery: Getty

TAMERA MOWRY'S WEDDING PHOTOS

Actress Tamera Mowry recently wed FOX News correspondent Adam Housley at the Villagio Inn & Spa in Napa Valley. 

The quaint outdoor wedding was orchestrated by celeb wedding planner Mindy Weiss and looked to be the perfect mix of elegant and casual.  Mowry's dress was designed by Carolina Herrera, meanwhile the groom and groomsmen rocked Converse with their tuxedos!  

"YOU AND I" THE SAVING GRACE OF GAGA'S BORN THIS WAY ALBUM

Lady Gaga's new album leaked yesterday, and upon first listen, I'm not really into it. However, one track on the album is absolutely amazing.

The saving grace of the album to me is "You and I," a piano driven ballad that has some Elton John zest sprinkled on top. Gaga recently did a medley of "Born This Way" and "You and I" on Oprah:

My gut is telling me that if i give Born This Way a few more spins many of the tracks will grow on me, but i am an impatient music consumer! I know if i like a song within the first minute of listening and rarely change my opinion.

Are you all feeling the Born This Way material?

BEYONCE'S 'RUN THE WORLD? (GIRLS)' VIDEO PREMIERE

The first visual presented from Beyoncé's upcoming album, 4, premiered tonight on Idol and on the net. Just like the song itself, i don't find the video for "Run the World (Girls)" all that mind-blowing...and its Beyoncé's fault.

I think our greatest artists hit a creative climax, and showing out simply becomes an expectation. If it was any other artist, i would be enthralled with the concept and intrigued by the choreography...but it's Beyoncé. What else did we expect?

AROUND THE NET

 

CNN's Don Lemon comes out of the closet while promoting his new book. [YBF]

Chris Brown "sharted" on himself while performing when he was 17. [Necole Bitchie]

Rihanna has got to be the meanest celebrity on Twitter. [The Fury]

Steph Jones nude pictures hit the net. [Carlton Jordan]

 

BLACK FEMALE ENTERTAINERS PRESSURED INTO WEIGHT LOSS?

Have you seen Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, and Raven Symone lately? These young entertainers look amazing having transformed their bodies with significant weight loss.

Still, i have to wonder, is their recent weight loss the result of wanting to be more healthy, or is it because they felt pressured to fit the industry's standard of beauty?

LA Times staff writer Rachel Abramowitz explains, "Social norms affect a person's weight. When a woman's most successful peers have protruding bones, she's going to feel pressure to head in that direction as well."

KANYE WEST'S CANNES KISS WITH MYSTERY BLONDE

Paps caught up with Kanye West making out with an unknown blonde on the balcony of his hotel while in town for the 64th Cannes Film Festival. 

 

She looks like a model to me, and judging from the tounge action, she smashed the homie!  

imagery: Bauer Griffin

MELISSA MCCARTHY BRINGS BIG COMEDY TO 'BRIDESMAIDS'

Tonight, I went to go check out the much-anticipated movie, Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig. As expected, the movie delivers a ton of laughs and I'd estimate that 70% of the comedy is served up by the character Megan played by actress Melissa McCarthy. 

My friend and i were a little concerned that the movie wouldn't be as funny as promised, so we downed a few drinks prior, but thanks to Melissa, the drinks were unnecessary. And yes,  according to IMDb, Melissa is related to Jenny McCarthy...they're cousins. Anyone else impressed by Melissa's performance?

RIHANNA & CHRIS BROWN FOLLOWING EACH OTHER ON TWITTER

Rihanna and Chris Brown continue to mend fences with one another. This morning, TMZ uncovered that the singers have recently followed each other on Twitter.

After one of Rihanna's fans noticed the connection, they tweeted the singer saying, "@rihanna I never thought you would go back to him! You better not, its your life but you do have ppl that look up to you. e.g young girls." Rihanna tweeted back defensively, "its fu**in twitter, not the alter! calm down."

...if it wasn't that big of a deal you would think that RiRi would have been a little more nice to her fan. Just Saying. 

ZOE KRAVITZ CHECKS OUT DEREK LAM

Actress Zoe Kravitz (daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet) was spotted at the Derek Lam private viewing party at the designer's New York store earlier this week.Click on 'read more' to check out what Zoe rocked to the event. 

BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES RENEWED FOR A SECOND SEASON!

 WE tv announced today the renewal of the network’s popular original series, Braxton Family Values, only 4 episodes in to the first season. This show is my latest guilty pleasure so i may have done a Serena Williams fist pump when i got the good news:

The series follows singer/songwriter Toni Braxton and her four sisters – Tamar, Trina, Towanda and Traci – as they navigate the drama created by the relationships among them. Recently called “… guilty-pleasure gold” byEntertainment Weekly, the series is produced for WE tv by Magical Elves and will return with 13 all-new, one-hour episodes in 2012. Braxton Family Values airs every Tuesday at 9pm on WE tv.

TWITTER RUMOR: BALDWIN HILLS STAR MORIAH IS GAY?

Rumors spread in the Twitterverse faster than any other place these days.  Tonight's victim was Baldwin Hills reality star Moriah Jonhson.  

After @OhYouFancyHuhFB sent out a TwitPic of a shirtless Moriah being hugged by another shirtless guy, the tweets about his sexuality made the canceled BET show a trending topic!  

Crazy part is, the guy in the picture with Moriah is actually just his older brother Joshua.  Don't believe every tweet you read, lol. Read more to see the full picture and to read some of the crazy tweets that were trending.  

KELLY ROWLAND RETURNS TO THE DANCE FLOOR WITH ALEX GAUDINO

While "Motivation" is burning up the charts here in the States, Kelly Rowland hasn't forgotten about her dance floor lovers.  Again, the singer has teamed up with an international DJ to knock out a dance anthem.  Peep the video for "What A Feeling" by Alex Gaudino ft. Kelly Rowland when you read more!

WHITNEY HOUSTON CONFIRMED BACK IN REHAB

The rise and fall of Whitney Houston is one of the most tragic entertainment stories I've witnessed in my lifetime.

The Associated Press confirms that Houston is back in rehab. A representative for the superstar singer confirmed Monday that Houston is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment. 

Whitney's reps says that this stint in rehab is a voluntary measure and part of Houston's

"long-standing" recovery process. It's unclear how long Houston will be in rehab or where she's being treated. 

I sure hope the 47-year-old singer can get herself together soon because it seems that her bad habits are also rubbing off on her daughter Bobbi Kristina who was allegedly busted doing drugs back in March. 

MICHELLE OBAMA DOES THE DOUGIE, DANCES TO "MOVE YOUR BODY"

Last week, First Lady Michelle Obama visited Alice Deal Middle School in DC to promote her Let's Move! initiative, and joined in on the workout with students while Beyoncé played in the background. Michelle was a bit reserved with her moves, but something is telling me that when the cameras are not around, she gives B a run for her money! 

A SONG FOR MOTHERS

There's no better song i can think of to celebrate all of the wonderful moms on Mother's Day! Momma...you know i love you!

IF LOOKS COULD KILL...ANDRE LEON TALLEY WOULD BE A MURDERER

Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, and Contributing Editor, Andre Leon Talley, walked the red carpet together at the 2011 MET Costume Gala.  I had to share this photo since Talley was serving major shade to whomever stepped on his cape! 

“It was magical. I felt the power and the drama.” -Andre Leon Talley

CELEBS FLOCK TO THE 2011 MET COSTUME GALA TO CELEBRATE MCQUEEN

Ciara was one of many celebs that looked amazing on the red carpet at The MET Costume Gala celebrating Alexander McQueen last night in NYC. The MET Gala is always a hot ticket, but the McQueen tribute really brought the celebs out in flocks in 2011:

 imagery: BauerGriffin, Getty

JORDIN SPARKS TWEETS HER NEW BIKINI BODY!

As previously reported here on Quick's Catch Up, American Idol Jordin Sparks has transformed her body and looks happier than ever. Over the weekend, the singer took to Twitter to flaunt her new bikini body commenting: 

I don't know why but my bathing suit reminds me of fruity pebbles. :)

Looking good Jordin! ...all of a sudden, i want a bowl of fruity pebbles-

BREAKING NEWS: OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLED BY UNITED STATES MILITARY ACTION

Osama bin Laden, the founder of Al-Qaeda  and the face placed on "The War Against Terrorism,"  has been declared dead on Sunday night. His death is at the hands of United States military action, and the United States has Bin Laden's body in possession.

President Barack Obama is to address the nation momentarily, and you can tune into his address below:

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE TORNADO VICTIMS IN THE SOUTH

Dozens of tornadoes swept through the South in a massive storm system that has reduced neighborhoods to rubble and killed over 300 people across 6 states. As southern residents begin the difficult journey of recovering from this disaster, here are some ways you can help from anywhere:

United Way of West Alabama - DONATE

The boots on the ground in the devastated Tuscaloosa area, the United Way is accepting donations of all types that they will then distribute to the immediate victims. You can donate non-perishable food, clothes, tarps, and of course, cash, -- 100% of which, they say, will stay in the West Alabama area. Donate online or over the phone by calling 205-345-6640.

The American Red Cross - DONATE

The Red Cross remains a leader in disaster relief, having opened more than 40 emergency shelters across the hardest-hit states. They've served more than 250,000 meals to those impacted by the twisters and distributed 22,000 items like clean-up supplies across the area. You can follow their progress on their blog and donate through their website or via text message by sending "REDCROSS" to 90999 to give $10.

Feeding America - DONATE

This hunger-relief charity has stepped up their mission to bring food and water into the affected towns. They work with local food banks to coordinate donations and distribute food. You can donate through Feeding America's website to bring ready-to-eat meals and clean water to people devastated by the storms.

Salvation Army - DONATE

Another steadfast relief leader, the Salvation Army has committed at least 10 mobile food trucks to the Alabama, Lousiana and Mississippi with another 22 that are on standby. You can keep up with the charity's progress on their blog and submit a donation online or by texting “GIVE” to 80888 to donate $10.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TOURS TORNADO AFTERMATH IN ALABAMA

On Friday, President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, toured Tuscaloosa, Alabama, one of the hardest hit cities in the South following one of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in decades.

The line of tornadoes that hit Wednesday killed 250 people in Alabama alone and injured more than 2,000, according to counts released Saturday by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving AL residents trying to dig out from the rubble and state officials scrambling to develop plans to aid those who were left homeless. 

We just took a tour, and I've got to say I've never seen devastation like this. It is heartbreaking." -President Barack Obama

Obama declared an emergency in all 67 Alabama counties and issued a major disaster declaration for eight counties that were hardest hit on Wednesday.

As an AL resident, it is truly unbelievable the damage the tornadoes caused. Stay tuned for more information on how you can lend assistance to victims of this devastating disaster.