Here’s some Hump Day hot topics to discuss over coffee:
Misty Copeland is coming to TV with a new reality series: The Misty Copeland Project. In a new series airing on Oxygen, the award-winning ballerina will act as a mentor to aspiring young dancers in New York City who hope to take their careers to the next level and be center stage in “Misty’s Master Class.” Oxygen is starting this new series along with two others in hopes of reaching out to talented, multi-cultural young women. “From the unbelievably inspirational and talented Misty Copeland to the bold young woman experiencing life abroad, … these projects embrace the new Oxygen programming which focuses on real characters who are on a journey to seek out new experiences and follow their true passions in life,” said Oxygen SVP Cori Abraham in a statement to ESSENCE.
Supermodel Janice Dickinson has come forward with another rape allegation against Bill Cosby. Dickinson claims that in 1982, Cosby sexually assaulted her after the two had dinner in Lake Tahoe. “The next morning I woke up, and I wasn’t wearing my pajamas, and I remember before I passed out that I had been sexually assaulted by this man,” she said in an interview on Entertainment Tonight. “… Before I woke up in the morning, the last thing I remember was Bill Cosby in a patchwork robe, dropping his robe and getting on top of me. And I remember a lot of pain. The next morning I remember waking up with my pajamas off and there was semen in between my legs.” The 77-year-old comedian is under a media firestorm after sexual assault allegations dating back to 1969 have resurfaced. In fact, Netflix has postponed an upcoming comedy special featuring Cosby amid the fresh wave of alleged victims who have come forward in recent weeks. [The Grio]
The US Tennis Association (USTA) has named Katrina M. Adams as their new chairman of the board, CEO, and president, according to a statement to ESSENCE. This is a historic time for the organization, as Adams is the first Black person, male or female, and the first former professional tennis player to lead the organization. The Chicago native will begin her two-year term as president in 2015. Congratulations, Katrina!
Beyoncé is releasing a single from her upcoming platinum edition box set. The single 7/11 will hit airwaves on Nov. 25, according to All Access. It is one of two new songs that will be featured on re-release of her album Beyoncé, which became available for pre-order earlier this month. [Hollywood Life]
Everyone’s favorite British detective, Luther, is coming to the States. Idris Elba, who stars in the BBC drama, will be acting as executive producer of an American version of the Emmy Award-winning show. [Deadline]
Michael Ealy is returning to the small screen. The Think Like a Man star joins the cast of the Fox drama The Following, playing an intelligent, chameleon-like killer opposite Kevin Bacon. [Deadline]
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Kim Kardashian-West’s nude photos in Paper Magazine, viewership of her sex tape from 2007, Kim K Superstar, has been through the roof. So much so, that Kardashian’s ex-boyfriend and sex tape co-star Ray J is currently seeing about $50,000 in revenue just one week after controversial cover shoot “broke the Internet” [TMZ]
Oh, happy day: People magazine has released a sneak peek of its highly anticipated Sexiest Man Alive 2014. We spotted–and drooled over–some familiar faces (Idris Elba), some sexy newlyweds (Dwyane Wade), and some fresh talent (Michael B. Jordan). Congrats to all our brothers! [People]