All On The Cover: Rihanna Covers Glamour

MAGAZINE: Glamour
NEWSTANDS: December 2009
MODELS: Rihanna
PHOTOGRAPHER: Matthias Vriens-Mcgrath
WEBSITE:www.glamour.com
NOTES: Rihanna Back on Top!

In this Glamour exclusive, she breaks her silence about her very public battle with domestic abuse to speak on behalf of victims, and shares her empowering message with young women.

Rihanna graces the December cover of Glamour…

Singer, Rihanna looks absolutely stunting on the December cover of Glamour magazine. After a year surrounded by controversy, this Barbados born beauty is back on top. In the article, she talks about her start, how it is working with Jay-Z and her incident with Chris Brown.

In the article, Rihanna talks about the photo of her bruised face being leaked after being assaulted by Chris Brown:

“It was humiliating; that is not a photo you would show to anybody. I felt completely taken advantage of. I felt like people were making it into a fun topic on the Internet, and it’s my life. I was disappointed, especially when I found out the photo was [supposedly leaked by] two women.”

It is wonderful to see Rihanna back on her feet after the stressful year she has had. She has been diligently working on a new album which will be released on November 23rd. The star just released the track list for the album, entitled ‘Rated R‘.

You can read more of Rihanna‘s interview on Glamour.com.

The 2009 Glamour Women of the Year:
•Michelle Obama (Special Recognition)
•Rihanna
•Maria Shriver
•Stella McCartney
•Amy Poehler
•Marissa Mayer
•Serena Williams
•Jane Aronson
•Susan Rice
•Euna Lee and Laura Ling
•The Women of Iran’s One Million Signatures Campaign
•Maya Angelou

Check out more photos of Rihanna’s glamour photoshoot below.

Rihanna with Glamour’s Editor-in-Chief, Cindi Leive

Rihanna cover no coverlines

Rihanna in one-shoulder dress

Rihanna scrunched

Rihanna on couch

Michelle Obama also covers Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” issue

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What did you think of Rihanna‘s interview on Good Morning America last Thursday and her special on 20/20 last Friday with Diane Sawyer? Your thoughts?!

Gracing Pages: Glamour Magazine Honors American Icons

Paula Patton as Billie Holiday

As an aspiring singer, Holiday suffered sexual abuse, struggled with a drug habit and encountered racism everywhere. But the late Lady Day—one of the first African American women to sing with an all-white orchestra—translated all of that pain into some of the most achingly personal songs ever recorded. (Download “Strange Fruit,” which she sang at her 1948 Carnegie Hall concert, and listen for yourself.)

“You can imagine that women at home hearing her songs on the radio felt her vocalizing their emotions and their struggles.”—Paula Patton, 33, of the upcoming drama Push, wearing Holiday’s trademark gardenia in her hair

Chanel Iman as Althea Gibson

After years of playing segregated tennis, the late Althea Gibson tore down the color barrier of competition in 1950, when, at age 23, she became the first African American to compete in major U.S. championships—and, in 1957, the first to win Wimbledon. In her crisp whites, “the Jackie Robinson of tennis,” as she was known, won 11 major titles.

“She showed women…you can be sweaty, be gorgeous and do a great job.”—Chanel Iman, 19, cohost of MTV’s House of Style.

America Ferrera as Dolores Huerta

A fierce advocate for migrant farmers, Huerta cofounded, with César Chávez, what became the United Farm Workers of America. In 1975 she played a critical role in enacting policies that allowed workers to bargain for better wages and conditions. Today, at age 79, Huerta continues to be active—last year she campaigned for Hillary Clinton’s presidential run.

“She saw her own opinion and voice as [something as] powerful as any man’s.”—America Ferrera, 25, of ABC’s Ugly Betty, holding a sign that reads “strike” in Spanish

Lindsay Lohan as Madonna

In 1984 Madonna told American Bandstand host Dick Clark that her dream was to “rule the world.” Months later she was on her way—her album Like a Virgin skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard charts. She’s been a pop-culture powerhouse ever since, and last year, Sticky & Sweet was the highest-grossing tour by a solo artist ever.

“When I was little, every day after school I would come home and put in her The Immaculate Collection disc and karaoke to it around the whole house.”—Lindsay Lohan, 22, of the upcoming film Labor Pains, re-creating Madonna’s 1984 MTV Video Music Awards performance of “Like a Virgin”

Alicia Keys as First Lady Michelle Obama

Not only is Obama the first African American filling the position, but she’s already making best-dressed headlines for a style that ranges from couture to J.Crew. Raised in Chicago, Obama, 45, powered on to Princeton and Harvard Law School before beginning a career during which she met, mentored and married our current President. Hail to our newest smart, opinionated, chic First Lady!

“She has worked hard for everything she’s accomplished, and done so with grace and humility. So many women and girls can identify with her story.”—Alicia Keys, 28, whose most recent album is As I Am.

Source: Glamour Magazine

“These images are amazing!” I’m going outt o buy this issue. This is going to be one-of-a-kind.” For more on the magazine check out Glamour.com.

Wire Talk: Weekly Rundown in the News

Elisabeth Hasselbeck Pregnant Again!
The View host just announced on the show that she’s three months
pregnant with her third child. Mazel tov, Lizzie. You know, “Palin” could work as a boy’s name or a girl’s name, just sayin’.

Megan Fox: Like Angelina Jolie, Only Not Terrifying…
Megan Fox supposedly will make the next Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie, which inspires the News to make a list of what she has in common with Angelina Jolie.

Former New Jersey gov Jim McGreevey says it’s not true that he tried to bribe his way into a Hannah Montana show for his daughter, and he has the ticket stubs on his fridge door to prove it.

New Citigroup chair Richard Parsons took Amtrak to D.C. for a meeting with Obama, doing the budget-y right thing after that whole flap about that $50 million jet the bailed-out company just canceled.

RFK Jr.‘s daughter, Kick, who goes to Stanford, has supposedly moved to New York to intern for Jann Wenner at Rolling Stone.

Cindy Adams says who the big inside-knowers think are going to get the major Oscars. Adams also says that John Updike, who just died, “wrote trillions of words.” C’mon, lady. The man was prolific, yes, but trillions?

Then Liz Smith says something about Daniel Radcliffe inviting Sasha and Malia Obama onto the Harry Potter set.

Hilary Swank’s ex Chad Lowe and his girlfriend are apparently expecting a baby girl in May.

Drew Barrymore and Justin Long are no longer dating but still hanging out and laughing together. Nice!

Sly dog Jean-Paul Belmondo, 75, dates a hot Belgian nightclub owner named Barbara Gandolfi who’s 33!

Jessica Simpson may not really be a size 2.

Stephanie Meyer, the Twilight vampire-books writer, says she won’t finish the fifth book in the series because she’s bummed someone put the unfinished version online.

Michael Cera will supposedly do the Arrested Development movie, which is supposedly going to happen after all.

Jeremy Piven took back his promise to take (sort-of?) girlfriend Ashley Chontos to the Golden Globes, so he took her to the SAG Awards, but she didn’t even get to sit with him there.

Guy Ritchie‘s dad said he hopes his son never gets back together with Madonna.

Michelle Obama will be the third First Lady after Jackie and Hillary to have a wax version of herself at Madame Tussauds.

50 Cent says he’s coming out with some kind of dietary supplement.

Fashion News: Michelle Obama Shines in Jason Wu

Tuesday morning was a promising day for a young fashion designer, Jason Wu. He was well-respected in certain fashion circles. But by Tuesday night, he became a household name.

Jason Wu’s place in history is all sewn up thanks to First Lady Michelle Obama, who donned his white chiffon gown for the inaugural balls.

Fashion Designer, Jason Wu

The 26-year-old Taipei-born New Yorker’s rapid rise to fame makes him the second designer from the Big Apple to hit the national spotlight on Inauguration Day.

So … who is this guy?

The onetime doll designer was reportedly introduced to Obama by Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley. She later wore a dress by the designer for a Barbara Walters special just before the presidential election.

Despite his low profile, Wu has earned quite a following among the fashionista set for his hourglass silhouettes and flowing fabrics.

Vogue editrix Anna Wintour even attended his last show, lending a serious nod of approval from the fashion community.

Wu, whose dolls sell at F.A.O. Schwartz, debuted his first runway collection in February 2006 and has shown off his wares in subsequent seasons – albeit in some of Fashion Week’s smaller venues.

Odds are, that’s about to change.

The budding star has been recognized for his talent, nabbing the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for women’s ready-to-wear last year.

Wu told Us Weekly that he didn’t know that Obama had chosen his dress for her husband’s big night.

“I found out when the whole world found out,” he said. “I said, ‘It looks white. It looks like mine…’ I had a box of pizza and I nearly fell over. I was sitting there with my friends, and they were screaming.”

Wu’s big moment comes on the heels of fellow New Yorker Isabel Toledo’s rise to national consciousness.

The first lady kicked off Inauguration Day in a pale yellow wool brocade dress and coat by the then-little-known designer.

The outfit “was made for Michelle with extra warm linings sewn into the [inner linings] so that she wouldn’t freeze,” Toledo’s husband told the Daily News.

A spring version of the dress – which will retail for around $1,500 – will hit Barney’s in March.

Wu’s goods are also currently available at upscale stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus – and have popped up on rising stars like Leighton Meester, Joy Bryant and Kerry Washington.

Oh, and the first lady – just in case you didn’t hear.

Source: [NY Daily News]

Wow Me Wednesday: Obama’s Are Fashion Icons!

First lady Michelle Obama wore a sparkling yellow sheath dress with matching coat by Cuban-born American designer Isabel Toledo for the inauguration of her husband, a choice many applauded as a cheerful message of hope and a vote for the American fashion industry.

In some light, the embellished ensemble took on a pale-greenish cast, coordinating nicely with green gloves from J. Crew and Jimmy Choo green patent pumps.

President Barack Obama wore a red tie and white shirt with his suit, topped with an overcoat adorned with an American flag pin.

Their daughters were style icons in their own right, with 10-year-old Malia in a double-breasted periwinkle-blue coat with a blue-ribbon bow at the waist, and Sasha, 7, in a pink coat with orange scarf and satin belt, a coral-colored dress peeking out at the hem. Their coats were from Crewcuts by J. Crew.

The fashion industry has eagerly looked to the election of Obama for months, embracing his wife as an emblem and ambassador of modern style, who wears clothes from young designers as well as mainstream American retailers.

Toledo designed the outfit with hopes Obama would choose it for the ceremony, though Toledo did not know for certain until Tuesday morning. She said she chose the “lemongrass” color for the optimism it represents.

“I didn’t want a traditional blue or red,” Toledo said. “That color has sunshine in it. I fell in love with it. So did she.”

The unusual shade of yellow “really popped” on Michelle Obama’s complexion, said fashion designer Kai Milla, wife of Stevie Wonder and an invited guest to the swearing-in ceremony.

Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine’s European editor at large who curated the Metropolitan Museum Costume Insitute exhibit on Jackie Kennedy in 2001, said he sees a resemblance in the inaugural styles between the two first ladies. “She’s off to an auspicious start,” Bowles said of Obama.

“Mrs. Obama’s choice (of clothing for the inaugural ceremony) … was appropriate, dignified and elegant, but it also had a considerable element of fashion panache,” said Hamish Bowles, Vogue magazine’s European editor at large.

Source: AP