Celebs Do Essence Fest '08 & Tasha Smith Dishes About Her Directorial Debut

Jul 05 | by Natasha

YBF is on the scene in New Orleans at Essence Fest 2008 and we caught the star-uhs out and about at the daytime seminars and nighttime concerts:

Solange rocked her cute look today during the daytime festivites.

So did Sanaa, Keisha Knight Pulliam Tanika Ray, and Lynn Whitfield. Looking fab ladies. And Chrihanna were in full effect at last night's concert:

By the way, Kanye headlined and gave one of the most fantabulous performances of the night. Loves it.Lots more pics and exclusives when you read the rest...

We chatted it up with Tasha Smith, the breakout star of Tyler Perry's Why Did I get Married, while she was taking in the concert from the VIP room. And the self proclaimed YBF Stan dished to us about her new movie role. This time she's putting on her director's hat for the first time and she directing an inspirational and uplifting movie called Family. It's starring Bow Wow, Sharon Leal, and Tasha's twin sister. Fab.

Also spotted int he VIP area was J. Holiday right after he got off the stage. And I guess being the oening act got to him because dude was acting like somebody pissed in his cornflakes. Trust me.

We even spotted Rev. Al Sharpton in his pimp linens and perm. He was trying hard to stay hidden in the cut and off to himself, but his fans (no, really) couldn't get enough of him and he eventualy left out.

Earlier in the day, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin presented N.O. native Tyler Perry with a Key to the City. Nice.

Terrance and N.O. chick Rocsi were around town taking in (and hosting some of) the events.

Chilli looked fab as usual.

Oh Lynn.

Shaun Robinson, Sanaa L., Solo, and Mikki Taylor hit the flashing lights.

Bow Wow made a surprise appearance to perform with Chris Brown.

And I see CB jacked his lol boo Rih Rih's blue pants.

And Algebra and MC Lyte mad appearances. Fun times and more weekend juice from Essence Fest later...

TheYBF.com, Nunez/Wireimage

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Comments

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Solange is trying really

Solange is trying really really hard but she's actually growing on me. she's no fashionista and her hair choices are hardly ever on point, but damnit... i think she's adorible!

by Prieta
7:42 pm - Jul 5, '08

SUNSHINE..CHOOPS..LOL..anyway

SUNSHINE..CHOOPS..LOL..anyway Congrats to VENUS WILLIAM

by kathy
8:09 pm - Jul 5, '08

I think mostly everyone looks

I think mostly everyone looks nice. Solange just needs a little tweeking and she will be pretty good on the fashion tip. She just can't tell when enough is enough yet and I want her to do something different with her hair. Chris, the pants....NO! Rihanna is gorgeous, I can't stand her. Sanaa, another natural beauty, even without the make-up she is exquisite!

by Tan Renee
8:10 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134504"][quote comment="134488"][quote comment="134484"]J. Holiday was horrible!! But Rhianna can actually sing. I think everyone was shocked at that! It was a great weekend... I can't wait until next year.[/quote] That's funny because we were there too and my sister was like, "I didn't know Rihanna could sing." I was like, "I told you, girl."[/quote] I know, this is just bandwagon effect. We heard something and we actually believe it. Rihanna is no whitney houston but she can sing! IDK what everybody is talking about?! I think she should just use more artifices like putting the sound extremely loud, with echo like someone i know and people will be like "OMG she can blow" lol[/quote] Hmmm... almost sounds like Beyonce. LOL

by marilynn m.
11:05 pm - Jul 7, '08

HEY! yall forgot to say that

HEY! yall forgot to say that chris finally shaved off that lil shunk/muskrat of a fohawk off of his head!!! yay! and everyone looks fab.....almost everyone

by Rydee
8:24 pm - Jul 5, '08

wow! Chilli left her ugly

wow! Chilli left her ugly picture bags at home!

by BMW
8:39 pm - Jul 5, '08

yo solange head is maad

yo solange head is maad BIG...sanaa looks good...chris odeed wit them pants..and rihanna needs to get a new theme and wardrobe wen she performs..im tired of seeing the same costumes...n e whoo..rocsi and them damn gold gucci shoes...she wear them shits everyday...yea they fly but damn...let em breath rocky...BOW WOW..LMAO..mc lyte looks good..

by MISS GQ
8:52 pm - Jul 5, '08

Look at the Spelman Alumni on

Look at the Spelman Alumni on this page! Yes!

by Spelmanites
9:14 pm - Jul 5, '08

solo got that skirt from

solo got that skirt from target. she made a nice fit with it. but im still on the fence about.

by queen b
9:37 pm - Jul 5, '08

oh i don't think men should

oh i don't think men should wear colored pants....its just something weird about it. stick to the basic color guys!!!

by queen b
9:38 pm - Jul 5, '08

I am sooooo jealous of Tanika

I am sooooo jealous of Tanika Ray's hair!!! I set a goal to grow mine out like that by January. I'm sitting here right now feeding it protein with mayo, avocado, honey and some other stuff on it. Her hair is GORGEOUS! I am obsessed with beautiful hair.

by BellaY
10:01 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote comment="134196"]oh i

[quote comment="134196"]oh i don't think men should wear colored pants....its just something weird about it. stick to the basic color guys!!![/quote]

by Miss
10:01 pm - Jul 5, '08

Tasha Smith looks lovely in

Tasha Smith looks lovely in that pic of her standing alone. Beautiful smile.

by BellaY
10:27 pm - Jul 5, '08

Chilli looked fab as usual??

Chilli looked fab as usual?? Really? I though Chilli was usually looking wack - and 12. She needs a grown and sexy make-over...sick of her baby hair pumping, lip gloss shining ass.

by kay p
10:36 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134573"][quote comment="134504"][quote comment="134488"][quote comment="134484"]J. Holiday was horrible!! But Rhianna can actually sing. I think everyone was shocked at that! It was a great weekend... I can't wait until next year.[/quote] That's funny because we were there too and my sister was like, "I didn't know Rihanna could sing." I was like, "I told you, girl."[/quote] I know, this is just bandwagon effect. We heard something and we actually believe it. Rihanna is no whitney houston but she can sing! IDK what everybody is talking about?! I think she should just use more artifices like putting the sound extremely loud, with echo like someone i know and people will be like "OMG she can blow" lol[/quote] Hmmm... almost sounds like Beyonce. LOL[/quote] now jennifer hudson dont even need a microphone at all lol. I love this song "all dressed up in love" .. I feel cool in the summer, warm in the winter... I found love...

by Valenne
11:43 pm - Jul 7, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134150"][quote comment="134109"]Lynn Whitfield is gorgeous!!! Her skin is flawless... And to think she looks that good at her age!!! Btw, tell MC Lyte Chrisette Michelle called and wants her hair style back! It's cute though! One more thing, is it just me or does Solange bear a striking resemblance to Anne Hathaway from Devil's Wears Prada? (she looks like the black version of her... or vice versa)[/quote] So chrisette micelle invented this hair style??!!!. OMG, people are so...[/quote] I'm sure that was supposed to be a joke...

by kay p
10:44 pm - Jul 5, '08

kinda new around here,

kinda new around here, someone tell me what a "stan" is please. great pics from essence fest so far!

by dne
10:47 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote comment="134245"]NEW

[quote comment="134245"]NEW ORLEANS STAND UP!! I THINK TERRENCE AND ROCSI ARE DATING SECRETLY, SOLANGE NEEDS TO CHANGE HER DO, AND I AGREE CHILLI NEEDS A NEW HAIRSTYLE, MC LYTE DID JACK CHRISETTE'S LOOK, CHRIS BROWN NEEDS TO SIT DOWN, TYLER IS FROM MY HOMETOWN REPRESENTING, BUT HE NEEDS TO CHILL WITH ALL THAT WHITE, WHY IS KEISHA KNIGHT PULLIAM IN THE NEWS? LYNN IS TIMELESS, SANAA IS AGREAT ACTRESS, BUT I LIKE KIMBERLY ELISE BETTER, AND RAY NAGIN NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU CLEAN YOURSELF UP,YOU STILL LOOK DRUNK TO ME.[/quote] ~I enjoyed it more this year than last year! Kanye was great, but the old goodies still had me! It felt so good to home and enjoy the live bands and stuff. Beyonce looks really good in person. Seemed very down to earth! 504 all day bruh! :)

by Ms.FSU/504
11:57 pm - Jul 7, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134165"]solange alone would not get so much heat if she were not beyonce's sister she can never live up to it and Gay-Z knocked off your wanna be MOD thing with Rihanna the five headed lezbo so just go find a rich baller not a broke one like before and head house of Datsowrong[/quote] Tell us why you mad? You sound like you hate life.LMAO

by LMAO
10:56 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote comment="134205"]kinda

[quote comment="134205"]kinda new around here, someone tell me what a "stan" is please. great pics from essence fest so far![/quote] A stan is an obsessed fan. From Emenim's song Stan.

by BellaY
11:16 pm - Jul 5, '08

everyone looks nice tasha

everyone looks nice tasha smith has come along way according to her story she had a rough upbringing i read her interview in an essence book, she also has an acting school as well, congrats to her!!!

by YELLAANDSLIM
11:32 pm - Jul 5, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134471"][quote comment="134283"][quote comment="134269"][quote comment="134176"][quote comment="134164"]Surprisingly Solange doesnt look as greasy this time around. But i am still not feeling the uber dark hair on her. Upgrade![/quote] What colour u want her hair to be BLONDE.The child's hair is fine.[/quote] Actually, blonde would probably be less harsh than the un-natural black on her fair skin tone. I wouldnt go as light as her sisters but as Bey's experimented w colours and found the ones that suited her, Solange should maybe try finding a colour that doesnt harshen her face up and direct so much attention to the texture (which is clearly eating her head alive IMO). Her hair isnt fine.[/quote] Not because she is fair she needs lighter hair. DO all white ppl have blonde hair? No!! Solange's hair is fine. What colour hair was she born with , Black hair. Black women need to quit with that light/blonde mess. In the 90's we had such beautiful women signing beautiful music. Now the mucis sucks as well as "THEIR image. A bunch of brainwashed black women.[/quote] I kinda agree with Amina. Solange is a cute girl but she has some hard features, and besides surgery, inly hair can soften her features. She does not need to be blond, there are thousands of color besides black and blond. Whns eh was younger she uses to have auburn braids and that color was perfect on her. Not sayong that she should have red hair but she def should widen her options to find the one that is going to give her the star power she wants. Her album is going to be fine. Now, she should work on her image. As for her fashion choice. I think she is trying and i think that she will be a brand name in fashion even if all she wears is ugly. But in the fashion world, ugly is not a word!![/quote] The bottom line is tomake it BIG in this country an african american female has to reinvent herself so that White America can relate to her. Look at how Beyoonce's hair went Blonde and Big and how in most magazines her skin tone was always as light as it could be. There were a few times I walked past the magazine stand and had to do a double take because I thought I was looking at a white womsn. Look at how Rhianna took on that Goth/Glam look and made it work for her. Then there's Halle Berry who can play the love interest of a white man or play an action hero and still sell movie seats meanwhile beautiful and talented women like Gabrielle Union and Nia Long get the short end of the stick. Let's not even talk about Angela Basset. As far as music goes Ashanti did do her thing a few years back but the industry got tired of the ghetto schtick fast. SO now she's back with blond highlights. Unfortunately thats how the business is and our men aren't really helping especially music artists who will have 5 spanish girls and 3 white girls to 1 black chick who is light skinned 99% of the time.

by Maris_Ma
12:50 am - Jul 8, '08

Valenne wrote: bee

Valenne wrote: bee wrote: yea..she can sing..my next door neighbor can sing.. my dog can sing…i can sing..everyone can sing! but that doesnt mean we all deserve record deals… rihanna would be an excellent model.. Why, just because you tall and gorgeous doe snot mean you need a contract with elite! lol No i think rihana have both she is just not as bad as everybody wanna say and that even make her good! now if everybody was saying that she is an amazing singer, then it would make her bad because she is not! but a pop singer don’t need 8 octaves! Why do people always say pop singers dont have to have good voices in other words. Rihanna sings but cant sing. She is probably like us we sing along to songs but we cant sing. Her success is this, she has songs that people (young ones) can sing along with that have a nice beat and the words relate to something silly sometimes and the other real, cause she cant carry a song to save her life and if you listen the songs she sings dont require much talent..That’s the problem most people have with her and she’s just down right boring and she is becoming a mary-jane-plain. ---- i dont exactly know what youre saying valenne but if its what i think then heres why people get deals and crap: THEYRE MARKETABLE! thats why theres a "fuss" going on about black hair and blonde hair and blah blah...its all on what draws the eye and what makes money..

by bee
1:00 am - Jul 8, '08

BellaY - thanks. i was

BellaY - thanks. i was thinking the words stalker and fan combined so i was close!

by dne
11:53 pm - Jul 5, '08

FINALLY.....................S

FINALLY.....................Solange's hair looks nice and he changed nail color!......YES so she finally looks well put together

by niinii
1:04 am - Jul 6, '08

Will someone please tell me

Will someone please tell me why it is that whenever someone is not overweight, black folks are always trying to say that he/she needs to gain weight? People there is nothing cute/sexy/healthy about being overweight. I'm sure your doctor has told your fat a$$ that many times!!

by Steve D.
1:11 am - Jul 6, '08

Solange Looks great!

by QueenB.D
1:27 am - Jul 8, '08

Oh Lynn nothing! Chick looks

Oh Lynn nothing! Chick looks fabulous! Anyway...Chrris Brown and them pants are killin me...but I do see alot of young boys rocking these tight ass pants w/ their asses hangin out!?! Lookin stupid as hell! Tasha Smith luvs her! Bow Wow is cute but he acts like a bitch...he doesn't even write his own lyrics...boo! Rihanna looks cute as usual. I like Algebra...talented artist. Why did MC Lyte get a nose job? Her nose was fine! Is it a Hollywood right of passage thing for black ppl to get nose jobs or something. J Holiday is funny looking as hell! But I luv his music.

by Chris Styles
1:13 am - Jul 6, '08

Rihanna is a cute girl, but

Rihanna is a cute girl, but she looks like a boring act.But I haven't seen her live, so I'm not gone get that. Feeling Solange. Dang @ J Holiday.It's not like he's worth mentioning.

by Sharonda
1:45 am - Jul 8, '08

Why did you leave out Cassie

Why did you leave out Cassie Davis's name from the picture with Lynn, Tasha, Keisha and Tanika? She's been in all of Tyler Perry's works and I think she deserves to be mentioned. Don't act ur color YBF..please

by Peace
1:51 am - Jul 8, '08

While I appreciate the pic of

While I appreciate the pic of Chris with his tongue out, I am hating his look! What in the hot gay hell? Them damn blue pants is a major no-no! AND, it is fcuking* July in N.O. and he has on a damn leather jacket AND hoodie! WTF CB?

by Lola AM
2:10 am - Jul 6, '08

Oh Bow Wow...I can't believe

Oh Bow Wow...I can't believe I used to think he was a cutie! I mean, he's still not bad lookin, but now I just see EGO when I look at him. And does that dude standing next to him really have a t-shirt with his picture on it?? Oh no dude......just.....no...

by Hope
2:43 am - Jul 6, '08

tasha smith=GORGEOUS! hands

tasha smith=GORGEOUS! hands down and i like her curly braids & me justs loves her-who doesn't??...it looks like a fun weekend-solange's make up looks gr8-Rocsi's dark hair is a drast improvement-good job, lol

by vanity6
2:46 am - Jul 6, '08

I love Lyte with this

I love Lyte with this hair...definitely fab...makes me want to cut my hair(but maybe not)!!

by Phoenix
2:51 am - Jul 6, '08

I just bought that dress

I just bought that dress Tanika Ray's wearing...in blue, though.

by Phoenix
2:53 am - Jul 6, '08

...make that Chris Brown

...make that Chris Brown blue...lol!

by Phoenix
2:55 am - Jul 6, '08

Will somebody tell Chili to

Will somebody tell Chili to do something different to that hair....She's been rockin the same style for about 10 years and changing her look is definately a needed change!!!! She's a beautiful...but needs her 90's style revamped

by sexygyal
3:06 am - Jul 6, '08

What was RIRI singing I have

What was RIRI singing I have never heard anything from her that is ever sung that hard. Girl stop it please, with her Robotic A$$

by JayMCee
3:13 am - Jul 6, '08

NEW ORLEANS STAND UP!! I

NEW ORLEANS STAND UP!! I THINK TERRENCE AND ROCSI ARE DATING SECRETLY, SOLANGE NEEDS TO CHANGE HER DO, AND I AGREE CHILLI NEEDS A NEW HAIRSTYLE, MC LYTE DID JACK CHRISETTE'S LOOK, CHRIS BROWN NEEDS TO SIT DOWN, TYLER IS FROM MY HOMETOWN REPRESENTING, BUT HE NEEDS TO CHILL WITH ALL THAT WHITE, WHY IS KEISHA KNIGHT PULLIAM IN THE NEWS? LYNN IS TIMELESS, SANAA IS AGREAT ACTRESS, BUT I LIKE KIMBERLY ELISE BETTER, AND RAY NAGIN NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU CLEAN YOURSELF UP,YOU STILL LOOK DRUNK TO ME.

by nolagirl
4:21 am - Jul 6, '08

chris give rhi back her

chris give rhi back her pants j.holiday should smile, its not that serious chilli still look like the baby, baby, baby video rhianna, love you....even though you are everywhere. that is not her fault the cameras follow her bow wow....is he smokin meth down in atl??? whats really goin on solange....ugh....she is wack tasha smith is the sh*t. love you!!

by Ki
4:50 am - Jul 6, '08

I love Chriana!!!

by Nariah's Biggest Fan
4:54 am - Jul 6, '08

[quote comment="134185"]wow!

[quote comment="134185"]wow! Chilli left her ugly picture bags at home![/quote] I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING! HALELUYERR!

by chevy
5:16 am - Jul 6, '08

[quote comment="134232"]Oh

[quote comment="134232"]Oh Bow Wow...I can't believe I used to think he was a cutie! I mean, he's still not bad lookin, but now I just see EGO when I look at him. And does that dude standing next to him really have a t-shirt with his picture on it?? Oh no dude......just.....no...[/quote] Micheal Jordan is on the shirt, not Bow

by Moi
5:28 am - Jul 6, '08

Essence is so wack.

Essence is so wack. Everything about that magazine makes me itch . Eww!

by pink wall street
6:11 am - Jul 6, '08

there is nothing GAWGEOUS

there is nothing GAWGEOUS about Tasha Smith. You people kill me. Yall hate on the beauties and big up the not so cuties. Pure proJECTion. Stop fooling yall selves. lolol.

by pink wall street
6:14 am - Jul 6, '08

Nobody thougth the picture of

Nobody thougth the picture of Ray and Tee was funny? Maybe it is just me, but the one of them sitting on the couch should be a CAPTION THIS.

by SquareBiz
6:40 am - Jul 6, '08

[quote

[quote comment="134176"][quote comment="134164"]Surprisingly Solange doesnt look as greasy this time around. But i am still not feeling the uber dark hair on her. Upgrade![/quote] What colour u want her hair to be BLONDE.The child's hair is fine.[/quote] Actually, blonde would probably be less harsh than the un-natural black on her fair skin tone. I wouldnt go as light as her sisters but as Bey's experimented w colours and found the ones that suited her, Solange should maybe try finding a colour that doesnt harshen her face up and direct so much attention to the texture (which is clearly eating her head alive IMO). Her hair isnt fine.

by Amina
8:18 am - Jul 6, '08

[quote comment="134190"]yo

[quote comment="134190"]yo solange head is maad BIG...sanaa looks good...chris odeed wit them pants..and rihanna needs to get a new theme and wardrobe wen she performs..im tired of seeing the same costumes...n e whoo..rocsi and them damn gold gucci shoes...she wear them shits everyday...yea they fly but damn...let em breath rocky...BOW WOW..LMAO..mc lyte looks good..[/quote] Yes solange's forehead is massively big. I think that's why she scoops her hair to the side to avoid the weave from escaping from the ever shrinking hairline.