Celebs Do Essence Fest ‘08 & Tasha Smith Dishes About Her Directorial Debut
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:
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…
Yuds
On Jul 5, 2008 at 5:49 am | Reply | QuoteFirst?
Yuds
On Jul 5, 2008 at 5:50 am | Reply | QuoteI want to thank Natasha, Nigerians all over the world and my insomnia for keeping me up!
Brow Zing!
On Jul 5, 2008 at 6:03 am | Reply | Quote35th!!
manishay1
On Jul 5, 2008 at 6:06 am | Reply | Quote2nd!!!
NE way I love Tasha, congrats on the film. Algebra and Lyte are my fav’s.
Lala Canada
On Jul 5, 2008 at 6:06 am | Reply | QuoteWhoa! I guess everyone is still sleeping. Good Morning Ladies(when you wake up)
me
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:18 am | Reply | QuoteBow wow is a lil cutie!
STLRAPPER
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:23 am | Reply | Quotewhy in hell did bow wow lose weight?!
Yuds
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:29 am | Reply | QuoteLynn 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)
CHASITY
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:40 am | Reply | QuoteBow wow looks like he lost too much weight. The ladies all look good.
Mitch
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:44 am | Reply | QuoteEveryone looked great!!
Mitch
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:48 am | Reply | QuoteI think Chilli needs a new haircut. Maybe a short style would make her look younger and more fab. Her hair looks like how my nieces wear their hair (it’s for the younger people). I would love to see her in a shorter, sexy hairdo. Just my observation. She is a pretty girl nonetheless.
Stoney-Brie
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:49 am | Reply | QuoteSOLO’S LOOKIN’ CUTE WHY ARE LEGS KIND OF BENT,CHILLI STILL LOOKIN’ PRETTY AS USUALL AND I CANT WAIT 2 SEE TASHA NEW MOVIE WITH TWIN SIS , BOW AND MS LEAL I LOVE THE FACT THAT IT’S ADRESSED AS A TOUCHING STORY I LOVE THEM KINDS, OMG OMG BOW’S SOOO SKINNY I HATES SKINNY GUYS EWWW AT LEAST CHRIS BREEZY’S OUTTER THAT CATERGORY AND RIHANNA IM GETTING TIRED REAL SICK N TIRED DOES SHE HAVE 2 BE EVERYWHERE ?!?!?!
missf
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:43 am | Reply | QuoteEverybody looks Cute. espacially mi boo Chris but i don’t his bleu pant.
kimpavita4
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:46 am | Reply | QuoteDid the guy by rocsi side wear a skirt?
miss babies hair aka chili is fab.
kimpavita4
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:55 am | Reply | Quotebow wow is corny.he always look like he’s eleven years old and act like he was 30.
when will he grow up! he better do some sport to built his body much better than he does.
Milan-aka-Beach Bum
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:57 am | Reply | QuoteNice post, Natasha
Everyone looks great~
Milan-aka-Beach Bum
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:59 am | Reply | QuoteStoney-Brie wrote:
I love her(Solo’s) bent legs in the 2nd pic~
Chica
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:09 am | Reply | QuoteChili looks fine the way she is…no need to change her hair.
No sir Chris@ blue pants.
I used to think u were cute, Bow….
Dame
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:35 am | Reply | QuoteWhoa Chris those pants are ugly please up them wayyyyy in the back of the closet
Rihanna looks like she was really singing huh
Solo I hate her hair but I love her song
Bow Wow snooze
JJ
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:41 am | Reply | Quotethis was sooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JLove
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:59 am | Reply | QuoteYou took the words right of my mouth my co-worker and I were just talking about this the other day she just looks like a little girl!Short hair cut will do her much justice!
sugapie
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:04 am | Reply | QuoteChica wrote:
…i agree chilli look perfectly fine, in fact i love the fact that she wears her OWN natural hair all the time
OBAMA08
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:08 am | Reply | QuoteNice
Erica
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:10 am | Reply | QuoteSorry, but Solange is just not cute. She has nice legs though.
Bow Wow lost weight?! LOL, that boy has looked the same since his debut. He will always look like a little boy.
Tasha is very inspirational.
Al needs to take J. Holiday’s seat!
Chris know he is wrong for those baby blue jeans.
model
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:21 am | Reply | QuoteSolo is soooo cute! i love her outfit! I think she is going to do very well!
BtchPlze
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:43 am | Reply | QuoteNATASHA!!!!! Please advise us of the situation in the N. O. you know hotels, sights, restaurants etc… I’m really interested in taking the boy. I want to know from an objective POV. Thanks in advance.
Danielle1986
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:12 am | Reply | QuoteI don’t know why Sol-o continues to F-up an outfit with that damn side swept jerry curl of a wig she’s been rockin’ lately. NOT a good look.
–
Sanaa looks on point per usual.
–
Congrats to Tasha.
–
And Bow Wow can hang up that little dream of his about becoming the next Will Smith…lmao…and eat a cheeseburger. He looks EXTRA hungry in these pics.
–
Who the hell is Algebra?
Sunni
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:13 am | Reply | QuoteChris really..blue pants? Please fire whoever told you that was a hot look… I can’t get over it.. blue pants..in public *shaking my head*
jjj
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:16 am | Reply | QuoteIt seems as if Rihanna changed her hair cut again…still looks good on her. She looked like she was giving her all in that performance!
Valenne
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:17 am | Reply | QuoteYuds wrote:
So chrisette micelle invented this hair style??!!!. OMG, people are so…
Steve D.
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:21 am | Reply | QuoteSolange is really starting to grow on me. And that vaseline logo behind her in that picture, is really giving me all kinds of ideas too.
Valerie
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:32 am | Reply | QuoteEveryone needs to leave Bow Wow alone. He is a young guy trying to find where he fits in. He is only about 21 years old. I know at 21 I did some crazy things and almost everyone else too. We just need to applaude him for doing his own thing.
PCW
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:33 am | Reply | QuoteMost of the women looked FAB. Lynn Whitfield make-up looks funny. Solo looks pretty nice. Where are all the fine Black Male specimen’s?
This_Is_A_Stick_Up!
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:46 am | Reply | QuoteDanielle1986 wrote:
Algebra is a singer … Her album is really good, I found out about her like a month ago when I was watching BetJ
___________________
Solange looks cute but, I wished she would’ve picked a different hairstyle
___________________
MC Lyte one of my favorite hip hop artists is still looking good
___________________
Chris you need to burn those blue pants immediately cause somebody lied to you about those pants looking cute ….
camilla
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:55 am | Reply | QuoteValenne wrote:
Agreed…MC Lyte is known for wearing these kind of short hair styles!
SUNSHINE
On Jul 5, 2008 at 12:04 pm | Reply | QuoteSolonge is a cute girl. I think the problem with her is she tries very hard to be DIFFERENT. It doesn’t come off naturally, so it doesn’t work in her favour. I know she was to be known as olonage and not Beyonce’s sister. She should just be herself , whatever that is. Chillis hair is fine. I live in the caribbean, I know plenty of girls with hair like Chilli’s ( we say they have coolie hair) and their baby hair naturally goes like that without them GELLIng it down. Dont tell me u ppl dont know that. CHOOPS
SUNSHINE
On Jul 5, 2008 at 12:05 pm | Reply | QuoteSolonge is a cute girl. I think the problem with her is she tries very hard to be DIFFERENT. It doesn’t come off naturally, so it doesn’t work in her favour. I know she was to be known as olonage and not Beyonce’s sister. She should just be herself , whatever that is. Chillis hair is fine. I live in the caribbean, I know plenty of girls with hair like Chilli’s ( we say they have coolie hair) and their baby hair naturally goes like that without them GELLIng it down. Dont tell me u ppl dont know that. CHOOPS
Amina
On Jul 5, 2008 at 12:31 pm | Reply | QuoteSurprisingly Solange doesnt look as greasy this time around. But i am still not feeling the uber dark hair on her. Upgrade!
LoatheKim
On Jul 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm | Reply | Quotesolange 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
Passing by
On Jul 5, 2008 at 12:58 pm | Reply | QuoteSolange’s skirt looks like the one from Target’s current Go Int’l collection. I wonder who the original designer is. Her hair/eyebrows look bad.
Keisha Knight-Pulliam is very pretty.
NaturallyChic
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:03 pm | Reply | QuoteAlgebra is a amazing singer out of Atlanta! Not loving the way she dresses, but the girl got talent…
Pookie
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:10 pm | Reply | Quoteok, somebody needs to tell Chris to stop taking style tips from Rih Rih, because i’m not really felling his outfit( nor am i feeling her’s ). Ususally i dont have a problem with CB’s style( love him to death), but as of late, not working.
lampshade
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:11 pm | Reply | QuoteI CANNOT stand Rocsi, but that hair color is definitely an upgrade.
newtothis
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:28 pm | Reply | Quotesolange look alright not really feeling the look but i dont think she looks horrible … i dont like the way her legs looked all bent up in the second pic… rihanna cut her hair again soon enough she gunna go bald or something (she still cute) … after this performance cb needs to put those pants in the back of the closet and forget bout them ohh and he cut his fohawk shit thing off YAY … bow alwayz been extra skinny … luv me some Sanaa Lathan (always fab) Oh and last but not least congrats to tyler perry on getting the keys to the city
Yeaaaa!
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:33 pm | Reply | QuoteCongrats to Tyler Perry, with it being Tyler Perry Day in N.O. on yesterday.
BULLET BULLET
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:41 pm | Reply | QuoteAmina wrote:
What colour u want her hair to be BLONDE.The child’s hair is fine.
Prieta
On Jul 5, 2008 at 1:42 pm | Reply | QuoteSolange 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!
kathy
On Jul 5, 2008 at 2:09 pm | Reply | QuoteSUNSHINE..CHOOPS..LOL..anyway Congrats to VENUS WILLIAM
Tan Renee
On Jul 5, 2008 at 2:10 pm | Reply | QuoteI 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!
Rydee
On Jul 5, 2008 at 2:24 pm | Reply | QuoteHEY! 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
BMW
On Jul 5, 2008 at 2:39 pm | Reply | Quotewow! Chilli left her ugly picture bags at home!
MISS GQ
On Jul 5, 2008 at 2:52 pm | Reply | Quoteyo 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..
Spelmanites
On Jul 5, 2008 at 3:14 pm | Reply | QuoteLook at the Spelman Alumni on this page!
Yes!
queen b
On Jul 5, 2008 at 3:37 pm | Reply | Quotesolo got that skirt from target. she made a nice fit with it. but im still on the fence about.
queen b
On Jul 5, 2008 at 3:38 pm | Reply | Quoteoh i don’t think men should wear colored pants….its just something weird about it. stick to the basic color guys!!!
BellaY
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm | Reply | QuoteI 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.
Miss
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm | Reply | Quotequeen b wrote:
BellaY
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:27 pm | Reply | QuoteTasha Smith looks lovely in that pic of her standing alone. Beautiful smile.
kay p
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:36 pm | Reply | QuoteChilli 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.
kay p
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:44 pm | Reply | QuoteValenne wrote:
I’m sure that was supposed to be a joke…
dne
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:47 pm | Reply | Quotekinda new around here, someone tell me what a “stan” is please.
great pics from essence fest so far!
LMAO
On Jul 5, 2008 at 4:56 pm | Reply | QuoteLoatheKim wrote:
Tell us why you mad? You sound like you hate life.LMAO
BellaY
On Jul 5, 2008 at 5:16 pm | Reply | Quotedne wrote:
A stan is an obsessed fan. From Emenim’s song Stan.
YELLAANDSLIM
On Jul 5, 2008 at 5:32 pm | Reply | Quoteeveryone 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!!!
dne
On Jul 5, 2008 at 5:53 pm | Reply | QuoteBellaY - thanks. i was thinking the words stalker and fan combined so i was close!
niinii
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:04 pm | Reply | QuoteFINALLY…………………Solange’s hair looks nice and he changed nail color!……YES so she finally looks well put together
Steve D.
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:11 pm | Reply | QuoteWill 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!!
Chris Styles
On Jul 5, 2008 at 7:13 pm | Reply | QuoteOh 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.
Lola AM
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:10 pm | Reply | QuoteWhile 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?
Hope
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:43 pm | Reply | QuoteOh 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…
vanity6
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:46 pm | Reply | Quotetasha 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
Phoenix
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:51 pm | Reply | QuoteI love Lyte with this hair…definitely fab…makes me want to cut my hair(but maybe not)!!
Phoenix
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:53 pm | Reply | QuoteI just bought that dress Tanika Ray’s wearing…in blue, though.
Phoenix
On Jul 5, 2008 at 8:55 pm | Reply | Quote…make that Chris Brown blue…lol!
sexygyal
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:06 pm | Reply | QuoteWill 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
JayMCee
On Jul 5, 2008 at 9:13 pm | Reply | QuoteWhat was RIRI singing I have never heard anything from her that is ever sung that hard. Girl stop it please, with her Robotic A$$
nolagirl
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:21 pm | Reply | QuoteNEW 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.
Ki
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:50 pm | Reply | Quotechris 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!!
Nariah's Biggest Fan
On Jul 5, 2008 at 10:54 pm | Reply | QuoteI love Chriana!!!
chevy
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:16 pm | Reply | QuoteBMW wrote:
I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING! HALELUYERR!
Moi
On Jul 5, 2008 at 11:28 pm | Reply | QuoteHope wrote:
Micheal Jordan is on the shirt, not Bow
pink wall street
On Jul 6, 2008 at 12:11 am | Reply | QuoteEssence is so wack. Everything about that magazine makes me itch . Eww!
pink wall street
On Jul 6, 2008 at 12:14 am | Reply | Quotethere 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.
SquareBiz
On Jul 6, 2008 at 12:40 am | Reply | QuoteNobody 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.
Amina
On Jul 6, 2008 at 2:18 am | Reply | QuoteBULLET BULLET wrote:
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.
stella
On Jul 6, 2008 at 2:40 am | Reply | QuoteMISS GQ wrote:
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.
N
On Jul 6, 2008 at 4:05 am | Reply | QuoteLast!!!
mamaof3
On Jul 6, 2008 at 4:26 am | Reply | QuoteBow Wow is a BI**CH and I am not a fan. Solange(yawn) so, typical and boring. Tasha Smith, I just love her congrats.