Tamar Diva Braxton is joining Season 21’s Dancing with the Stars, alongside Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Alek Skarlatos, the U.S. serviceman who helped stop a gunman on a Paris-bound train. The singer/talk show host revealed the big secret this morning on Good Morning America. She said that she didn’t tell a soul– not even her sisters. “This is the reveal. I haven’t told them yet,” she said. “…Hi Girls!”
Dancing with the Stars will air Monday, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. [ABC]
Kyle Jean-Baptiste made history when he became the first African-American and youngest person to play Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables” on Broadway. Sadly, Baptiste’s untimely death came too soon. The 21-year-old man died Friday night after performing at the Imperial Theatre, when he fell backwards off of a fourth floor fire escape of an apartment in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
A memorial was held for the young actor in Central Park on Monday. [JET]
An advocate for higher education, Nelly has created a scholarship fund in Mike Brown’s name to send teenagers to college for free, an effort to rebuild the community after Ferguson’s tragic events. “It’s not about the hoo-ha,” Nelly says. “It’s about the silent assassins. It’s the ones that move behind the scenes that get things done. The guy that’s screaming on television, he’s the diversion. I’m not a diversion. I’m going to get it done.” [The Source]
The Williams sisters continue to out-do themselves. This time around, one half of the Black girl magic team, Venus Williams, has earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Serious congratulations are in order. And, good luck in the U.S. Open. [Clutch Magazine]
Russell Simmons used his influence to have BET move the BET Hip-Hop Awards from airing on October 10th, its original air date, in honor of the Million Man March. The Hip-Hop Awards will now be showing on October 9th instead. Well done Russell! [Global Grind]
Janet Jackson kicked off the Unbreakable Tour in Vancouver, British Columbia—her first return to the stage in years—and was overwhelemed with emotions. “I love you so much, so much, so much, so much,” she said. “And I’ve missed you much!” She quickly followed with an energetic, Janet-esque performance of “Rhythm Nation.” We love you too, Janet! [Bossip]
