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VIDEO: Nephew Tommy, Steve Harvey's Co-Host, Debuts New Denim Line For Plus-Sized Women
Filed under: News, Interviews, Radio, Video

There's no denying 'Steve Harvey Morning Show' co-host Thomas "Nephew Tommy" Miles' love for curvy, full figured women.

The dapper funnyman's deep infatuation and devotion to please plus-sized ladies has turned into his new foray into the fashion industry with his new brand called, Big Luv Denim.

The comedian-actor showcased his "high fashion" line of plus size denim jeans -- to hit stores February 2011 -- during an exclusive fashion show at this year's annual Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas.

BlackVoices.com caught up with Tommy during the event where he talked about his new-found business venture in addition to the future of Big Luv Denim.

Check out the video below.

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29 Things to Know About Beyoncé
Filed under: Music, Movies, Photos

Beyoncé has accomplished more in her music career over the past 15 years than most people accomplish in a lifetime.

From starring in major box office flicks to breaking records on the music charts, the Houston native (born Beyonce Giselle Knowles) has maintained her place as one of today's biggest pop music superstars.

In honor of her 29th birthday (Sept. 4, 2010), Blackvoices.com presents 29 Things to Know About Beyoncé.

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29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

Beyoncé has accomplished more in her music career over the past 15 years than most people accomplish in a lifetime. From starring in major box office flicks to breaking records on the music charts, she has maintained her place as one of today's biggest pop-music superstars. In honor of her 29th birthday, AOL BlackVoices presents 29 Things to Know About Beyoncé.

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29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

Beyoncé has accomplished more in her music career over the past 15 years than most people accomplish in a lifetime. From starring in major box office flicks to breaking records on the music charts, she has maintained her place as one of today's biggest pop-music superstars. In honor of her 29th birthday, AOL BlackVoices presents 29 Things to Know About Beyoncé.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

1. Even her fellow singers admire this former People magazine "Most Beautiful People" honoree; R&B crooner Case chose her to play his love interest in the video for his 1999 single 'Happily Ever After.'

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

2. Beyoncé has a lifetime membership to her favorite fast-food restaurant, Popeyes.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

3. Beyoncé started dating her husband, Jay-Z, in 2000, and three years later, the two recorded Hov's hit single '03 Bonnie & Clyde.'

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

4. Though she was home schooled in her later years, Beyoncé is said to have been teased in grade school because of her over sized ears.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

5. At the 35th annual American Music Awards, she took the stage alongside country group Sugarland to perform her #1 hit 'Irreplaceable,' and later in the show, became the first woman to win an International Artist Award.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

6. Never one to turn down a chance to collaborate with music legends, Destiny's Child hooked up with Jody Watley for their 1999 song 'Sweet Sixteen.'

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

7. Beyonce has one nephew, Juelz, with whom she starred in a Nintendo commercial.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

8. The 'Single Ladies' singer attended Alief Elsik High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in her hometown of Houston.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

9. She learned to bounce back from disappointment early in her career when she performed on the popular talent show 'Star Search' with her group Girl's Tyme but lost.

29 Things to Know About Beyoncé

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VIDEO: Victoria Rowell Exposes Racial Disparity, Prejudice and Drama on 'Young & The Restless'
Filed under: Television, Video

Victoria Rowell is on a crusade to expose what really goes down behind the scenes of daytime televisions top-rated soap opera 'The Young and the Restless.'

And it's not the thinly-veiled, campy drama that she touches upon with her latest tome, 'Secrets of a Soap Opera Diva,' either.

Backstage at Steve Harvey's 8th Annual Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas, the 11-time NAACP Image Award winner talked exclusively to Blackvoices.com about the discrimination she suffered while on the set of the CBS serial.

From white actresses running around with an "afro wig" and spitting in her face on set, to wardrobe staffers making the black actors keep the tags on their clothes so they can return them, Rowell tells it all.

The Portland, Maine broke down her mission to stop, what she refers to as, "soap opera apartheid."

Watch the provocative video interview below.

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Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Victoria Rowell is more than just your average soap opera actress; A true renaissance woman, she has written two books, starred in television shows including 'The Ghost Whisperer,' 'All of Us' and 'Noah's Arc' and appeared in a number of movies, including 'Home of the Brave,' 'Eve's Bayou,' 'Motives' and 'Barb Wire.' She's also a staunch advocate for foster care, and women's issues.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Her full name is Victoria "Vicki" Lynn Rowell. She was born in Portland, Maine, on May 10, 1959.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

When she was 8, Rowell began ballet lessons. She received a Ford Foundation scholarship to study at the Cambridge School of Ballet.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

When Rowell was just 16 days old, she, along with her two sisters, Sheree and Lori, was surrendered to child services after her schizophrenic mother left her and her siblings unsupervised.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

During the 1980s, Rowell became an in-demand runway and catalog model. She began to take acting lessons and earned featured roles on television shows such as 'The Cosby Show.'

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

In 1990, Rowell was cast as a hood-rat-turned-fashion model Drucilla Barber on the long-running CBS soap opera 'The Young and the Restless.'

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

Rowell's first marriage was to Tom Fahey in 1989. A daughter named Maya is a product of their union, which ended in divorce the following year.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

On 'The Young and the Restless,' Rowell's character fell in love and married Neil Winters, who is played by veteran soap actor Kristoff St. John.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

The trajectory of Drucilla Barber and Neil Winters is quite interesting. Before the two became lovebirds, they schemed and plotted to break up the relationship between her physician sister Olivia and her detective boyfriend Nathan.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

During the early-1990s, Rowell had a long-term romantic relationship with world-renowned jazz luminary Wynton Marsalis. A son, Jasper, is the product of their union.

Victoria Rowell : Through The Years

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Sheryl Lee Ralph Previews 'First Wives Club' At NAACP Theatre Awards
Filed under: News, Theater
Sheryl Lee Ralph is one of the few actresses to have the freedom to choose the projects she signs on to do.

She could sit back and be a supportive politician's wife, as the spouse of Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes.

Instead, the former 'Moesha' star has spent her days educating on HIV/AIDS prevention around the world and raising money for the cause through her Divas Simply Singing concerts and her one-woman show 'Sometimes I Cry.'

But, now the Tony Award nominated thespian is poised to return to The Great White Way - the place where she got her start nearly 30 years ago in the original production of 'Dreamgirls.'

On Aug. 30, the Connecticut native wowed the crowd at the 20th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards at the Directors Guild of America in Hollywood creating early buzz that her return to Broadway is right around the corner.

Ralph performed a show-stopping number 'That Was Me Then...This Is Me Now' from the new musical adaptation 'The First Wives Club.' Clad in a white suit, pearls and crystal Sonia Rykiel pumps, the Rutgers University graduate brought down the house singing the Act 2 song, which was written by famed Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland.

The show, which premiered last year at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, is based on the 1996 comedy of the same name starring Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn. The NAACP applauded writer Rupert Holmes' decision to cast Ralph as Hawn's movie star character, Elyse Elliot, and make her a pop star diva.

Also getting his due at the festivities was Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright, who was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in Broadway shows to include, 'Topdog/Underdog,' 'Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk,' and 'Angels in America: Peristroika.' He'll soon appear in the Lincoln Center Theater production of 'A Free Man of Color.'

Kenny Leon, who most recently helmed 'Fences,' which earned its two lead actors Denzel Washington and Viola Davis Tony Awards, was honored with the Trailblazer Award. The Tony Award-nominated director is gearing up to direct Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson on Broadway in 'The Mountaintop.'

And, while there's no word on when 'The First Wives Club' will be hitting Broadway, Ralph will continue her fight to raise money for HIV/AIDS prevention with the 20th Anniversary of Divas Simply Singing on Oct.9 in Los Angeles, California.

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Jamie Foxx: Returning to Television This Fall
Filed under: Television, News, Celeb Updates

It's been a while since Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Foxx has been on the small screen. As of late, unbeknownst to many, the comedian has been making his presence felt behind the scenes.

The 'Blame It' singer produced the MTV series 'From G's to Gents' which turned slacker men into reformed gentlemen, and also served as an executive producer for the Emmy Award nominated HBO film 'Life Support.'

Now, he's gearing up to get back to his comedic roots with a new Fox sketch comedy series.This fall, Foxx will produce a new half-hour show tentatively called 'The Jamie Foxx Project.'

Similar to the now defunct Fox sketch comedy series 'Mad TV,' the new show will include spoofs of commercials, television shows and celebrities and according to the network will offer a "fresh take on pop culture."

The Sirius satellite radio host is excited about the new venture.

"I'm looking forward to delivering a groundbreaking new series and working closely with the talented team at FOX again," Foxx said in a statement.

And, FOX President of Entertainment, Kevin Reilly, seemed just as thrilled about the new partnership.

Reilly added, "Jamie Foxx's brilliance first shined on FOC, so it's fantastic to welcome him back to the network."

Before becoming a force in Hollywood with his Oscar-winning portrayal of singer Ray Charles in 'Ray,' Foxx joined the cast of the hit 1990s sketch comedy show 'In Living Color,' as a relative newcomer and made a name for himself alongside the Damon Wayans, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Marlon Wayans and Shawn Wayans, as well as Jim Carrey, David Alan Grier and Tommy Davidson. The Terrell, Texas native, born Eric Marlon Bishop, followed that up in 1996 with his own sitcom 'The Jamie Foxx Show' which lasted for five seasons.

Also joining the production team for 'The Jamie Foxx Project' is comedian Affion Crockett (pictured above)who has worked on 'The Boondocks,' 'Nick Cannon Presents Short Circuitz' and 'Dance Flick.'

It is unsure whether Foxx and Crockett will appear on the show or simply serve as producers, but they plan to enlist the help of a diverse cast of comedians.

Foxx is rumored to be in pre-production for 'Skank Robbers' a movie with Martin Lawrence where the two men revive their infamous television characters Sheneneh Jenkins from 'Martin' and Wanda from 'In Living Color.' Sony Pictures has set an Aug. 19, 2011 release date for that film.

He will reunite with his 'The Soloist' co-star Robert Downey Jr. for his next film 'Due Date,' which hits theaters on Nov. 5.

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Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Being funny comes as a natural gift for man - but only the really talented (and really daring) ones have answered the call to make the masses laugh with their comedy. The wild and crazy Tracy Morgan, the much heralded Whoopi Goldberg, the brassy Mo'Nique and the late, great Richard Pryor are just a few of the black, famous and funny people who made us laugh over the last 50 years. There are many more. And they all have stories behind the funny. Check out who they are and what they've done.

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Martin Lawrence
Started Out: Making an appearance on the national talent show 'Star Search,' which ultimately led to a gig on 'What's Happening Now!' Big Break: Hosting the groundbreaking comedy series 'Def Comedy Jam.' Hometown: Landover, Md. Also Was Seen: In the films 'Do the Right Thing,' 'House Party,' 'Boomerang,' 'Bad Boys,' 'Thin Line Between Love & Hate' and 'Big Momma's House.' In addition, he starred and executive-produced his own Fox sitcom 'Martin' for five seasons. Factoid: In 1989, Lawrence was engaged to 'Saved by the Bell' actress Lark Voorhies.

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Steve Harvey
Started Out: Began doing stand-up in the mid-1980s and was a finalist in the second annual Johnnie Walker National Comedy Search in 1989. Big Break: Hosting the nationally syndicated TV series 'Showtime at the Apollo.' Hometown: Welch, W. Va. Also Was Seen: On the series 'Me and the Boys' and his eponymous sitcom. Also appeared in the movies 'Love Don't Cost A Thing,' 'The Original Kings of Comedy' and 'The Fighting Temptations.' Factoid: Born in 1957, Harvey (real name: Broderick Steven Harvey) made his literary debut with the New York Times best-selling relationship/advice book 'Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,' in 2009.

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Wanda Sykes
Started Out: Began her stand-up career at a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase in Washington, D.C. Big Break: Played multiple roles on Chris Rock's Emmy Award-winning HBO show. Hometown: Portsmouth, Va. Also Was Seen: In the movies 'Monster-in-Law' and 'Pooty Tang' and on the TV shows 'Wanda At Large,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' and 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.' Factoid: During a Las Vegas gay rights rally in November 2008, Sykes proclaimed she was "proud to be gay."

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Jamie Foxx
Started Out: Acting on a dare (from a girlfriend) and competing in an open-mic contest at a comedy club in 1989. Big Break: Playing the comely date-challenged Wanda on 'In Living Color' Hometown: Linden, Texas Also Was Seen: In the films 'Booty Call,' 'The Players Club,' 'Any Given Sunday,' 'Miami Vice,' 'Ali' and 'Ray,' for which he won an Academy Award for best actor in 2005. Also fronted his eponymous sitcom. Factoid: As of 2009, Foxx (real name: Eric Marlon Bishop) has released three music albums: 1994's 'Peep This,' 2005's 'Unpredictable' and 2008's 'Intuition.'

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Tracy Morgan
Started Out: Appearing on the sitcom 'Martin,' where he played 'Hustle Man.' Big Break: Morgan's claim to fame came in 1996 when he began appearing on 'Saturday Night Live.' Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In 'A Thin Line Between Love and Hate,' 'Martin,' 'Half Baked,' 'How High,' 'Head of State,' 'The Tracey Morgan Show,' 'Little Man,' 'First Sunday' and '30 Rock.' Factoid: Andrew Dice Clay inspired Morgan to pursue comedy.

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Chris Rock
Started Out: Doing stand-up comedy in 1985 in New York City's Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club. Big Break: Was a cast member of the popular sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live.' Hometown: New York City Also Was Seen: In the movie 'New Jack City,' where he played a crackhead informant. Factoid: Born in 1965, Rock won a Grammy for best spoken comedy album in 1999 for the project 'Bigger & Blacker.'

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Mo'Nique
Started Out: Appearing at the downtown Baltimore Comedy Factory Outlet. Big Break: Starred on the hit UPN sitcom 'The Parkers.' Hometown: Baltimore Also Was Seen: In 'Three Can Play That Game,' 'Hair Show' and 'Shadowboxer.' Factoid: Born in 1967, Mo'Nique (real name: Monique Imes) is the author of 'Skinny Women are Evil: Notes of a Big Girl in a Small-Minded World' and the cookbook 'Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted.'

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Eddie Griffith
Started Out: Griffith began his acting career the 1991 action-thriller 'The Last Boy Scout.' Big Break: In 1996, Griffith showcased his talent on a national scale when he landed the role of Eddie on the TV series 'Malcolm & Eddie.' Hometown: Kansas City, Mo. Also Was Seen: In 'Foolish,' 'Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo' and 'Undercover Brother.' Factoid: Suffered a heart attack in 1996 while taping an episode of 'Malcolm & Eddie' following a scene in which he did the salsa dance.

Popular Black Comedians

Famous, Black & Funny
Bill Cosby
Started Out: While in his early twenties, Cosby appeared on various well-known variety programs including 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' Big Break: In 1965, he appeared as Alexander Scott in the Emmy Award-winning flick 'I Spy.' Hometown: Philadelphia Also Was Seen: In 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,' 'Uptown Saturday Night,' 'Let's Do it Again,' 'Ghost Dad,' 'The Meteor Man' and the groundbreaking NBC sitcom 'The Cosby Show.' Factoid: Beginning in 1965, Cosby scored the Grammy Award for best comedy album six years in a row.

Popular Black Comedians

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'Army Wives' Spinoff Series With Gabrielle Union Rejected

The spinoff series of 'Army Wives' that had actress Gabrielle Union in one of the lead roles has been rejected by Lifetime TV, reports Deadline.com.

The site states that the spinoff, starring Brigid Brannagh and Union as Atlanta detectives, got a lot of attention recently following its story about 'Wives' executive producer Mark Gordon's use of racial slur during the backdoor pilot's table read.
In an episode that aired recently, 'Wives' regular Pamela Moran (played by Brannagh) returns to her career as a police officer and is promoted to a detective with the Atlanta Police Department. Union was playing her partner, Detective Gina Holt.

Union was last seen in a supportive role on ABC's recently canceled series, 'FlashForward.' The Nebraska native also appeared the short-lived series 'Life,' 'Night Stalker' and 'City of Angels.'

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Random Images

Description: DJ Waxxy with his wife Deborah on the red carpet at the 2009 Channel O Awards. The awards went down at Carnival City's Big Top Arena on Thursday, 29 October 2009.