ESSENCE MAGAZINE'S TOP 10 HOTTEST CELEB HAIRSTYLES OF 2007

When we look back at the things that inspired us to make a change this year, celebrity hairstyles are at the top of the list. Take a look at the star styles that had us running to the salon to get the look.

Angie Stone: From natural to relaxed, Angie's gorgeous transformations prove that neo-soul is alive and well.









Jada Smith: Always keeping us guessing, Jada continues to be a cutting-edge chameleon when it comes to her hair. And she didn't disappoint at the recent I Am Legend opening, working the red carpet with this curly fro.







Jill Scott: She shows us her many moods by working both natural and straight looks. She's free and easy one day with a natural fro, and sexy and glamorous the next with free-flowing waves and curls.




Tyra Banks: From America's Next Top Model to The Tyra Banks Show, you never know what hairstyle Tyra is going to rock from episode to episode. But she�s managed to start a trend with this long bob and blunt bangs, cut right above the lashes.








Alicia Keys: Alicia showed us she has a more glamorous side to her on her fourth album by going from urban-chic tresses to grown-and-sexy curls and waves.

CHECK OUT THE TOP 5 AFTER THE JUMP!

Eve: Holding tight to her signature blond hair color, Eve updated her look with short layers and a wispy bang.






Venus Williams: What a difference a cut and color makes! Venus has taken us from braids and beads to long glamorous tresses, and now is now serving it with this short, layered cut.






Keyshia Cole: She's managed to combine the hottest looks of the year's short, asymmetric and blond to get this edgy short style.





Rihanna: Her asymmetric bob made us all rip out her picture to copy her look. She wears the look well, switching it for the red carpet by adding color or long extension pieces on the sides for extreme drama.






Mary J. Blige: When it comes to hair, this queen reigns supreme. What's her look this season? This blond bombshell is turning heads with a short bob and blunt bang.


SOURCE: ESSENCE.COM

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

RAZ B. RETRACTS HIS STATEMENT; MEETS WITH CHRIS STOKES FOR PAY OFF & TO SQUASH BEEF?; WILL DR. PHIL BECOME INVOLVED?

My head hurts. I can't stop sneezing and my eyes are constantly watering. If I didn't know any better, I'd say my symptoms are due to allergies. Yeah, that's it. I've become allergic to bullsh!t and other things that just don't make any sense. Case in point: Raz B.'s retraction video which was posted yesterday on youtube. It looks like Chris Stokes still has the upper hand when it comes to getting these boys (and even grown ass men) to do what he wants them to do. Well, it's too late. Your dirty laundry has been exposed.

Anywhoo, in the video Raz B (without ever looking straight in the camera) said, 'I would like to send a public apology for some tapes that were leaked without my authority ... I just wanna say that those allegations are not true ... with Chris Stokes and Marques Houston. And I apologize for any hurt that this may (have) caused ... publicly, financially ..." [WATCH VIDEO AFTER THE JUMP!]

My allergies kicked into overdrive, when just a couple of days ago, another source said Raz B. and Chris met (since the release of the infamous videos) and agreed to squash their beef ONLY if Raz made a PUBLIC APOLOGY/RETRACTION (hence, the apology video) denying his prior allegations against Chris. Overall, it was Chris' intentions that this apology video would hit the Internet by this morning before making its rounds to various websites and messageboards...which it did. He also wanted Raz B. to visit local radio stations to make more public apologies. I guess he figured he'd cover all of his bases in making sure that those who don't have access to a computer would hear Raz's literally unbelievable apologies via the radio. In Raz's defense, phone calls have reportedly been made to The Dr. Phil Show regarding this incident. And yall know Dr. Phil don't play when it come to the kids.

**Oh, and I saved the best for last! This is what really put the lid on the jar...if it's proven to be true. According to the source, Chris reportedly wrote Raz B. a check to cover any of Raz's immediate financial issues; again, hence the apology video. Would anyone like to explain to me why a person would write a check to someone just days AFTER this person has publicly accused you of sexual molestation? Talk about incrimination. I swear, the higher a monkey climb, the more his ass shows.

See what I mean when I say I'm allergic to bullshit and things that don't make any sense? I mean really! I am too through with this entire situation.

AFTER THE JUMP, YOU CAN READ STOKES' OFFICIAL STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO RAZ B.'S RETRACTION.

Chris Stokes felt compelled to release an official statement regarding Raz B.'s retraction statement/apology video. Damn, my head is killing me! LOL!

Here it is: ”I’m happy that Demario “Raz B” Thorton and Ricardo Thorton realized their mistakes and admitted to lying. I have always supported my family and have always been a stand up person. I knew that the truth would eventually come to light.”

Needless to say--and for those who care--the above statement was made after Stokes' voiced part 2 of his original official statement (via MTV) where he denied the allegations made against him. He said, "All the allegations they made are false. I'm not gay. And I'm married. And I have four kids. I've been with my wife for 16 years. And I'm not a child molester. So those are all false allegations. I'm gonna sue them. And I owe that to my wife and kids, period. It's ridiculous."

FYI: Before Raz B. uploaded and posted his apology video, his business partner, Kevin Sullivan, told MTV News that the singer wasn't ready to elaborate on his video allegations, BUT he was meeting with lawyers and preparing a statement which will hopefully help explain his claims. Sullivan said, "With something of this magnitude, you always look at what the best time is [to talk about it,] and he felt compelled ... that this has built up.[He was saying,] 'I'm tired, this is my story.' It's something that's spiritual, and God says now is the time."

** Shout out to AJL at LSA for the additional information!

Below you'll find Raz B.'s apology video.

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

CANDID PICS: HALLE BERRY OUT & ABOUT SHOWING HER GRAY ROOTS.

Actress and mommy-to-be, Halle Berry was spotted leaving an unidentified store in Los Angeles on December 21st. If you look closely, you'll notice her gray hair roots. According to some people, folks who sprout gray hair at a young age are deemed lucky...or something like that. I don't feel like thinking about it anymore! LOL!

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Here are more recent candid pics of Halle arriving at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on December 23, 2007.

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READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!

NEW PIC: REV. RUN & HIS WIFE JUSTINE, WELCOME A NEW ADDITION INTO THEIR FAMILY; WILL MAKE ITS TV DEBUT IN JANUARY.

In better late than never news, Reverend Run, 43, and his wife Justine Simmons adopted an American-born baby girl in September, who they named Miley Justine Simmons. Miley was one month old when they brought her home and will make her debut on the family's MTV reality series, Run's House, in January. Run has three children from his first marriage (Vanessa, Angela and Joseph) and he and Justine have two boys together (Daniel and Russell).

The couple lost their first daughter together, Victoria Anne, hours after birth when she came into the world with a condition known as omphalocele. Justine said, "People say, 'You need to mourn,' and you do, but only a little because the more you mourn, the more you want to mourn. I would have landed in depression." The couple decided to adopt Miley -- now 4 months -- because, as Justine says, "I wanted a girl really bad, and I knew I wasn't going to try again. That could have really messed me up."

READ MORE OF THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP!

The couple had been planning to adopt for a while. Back in March, she told Essence magazine, "We take for granted that we can just have a baby. But I couldn't. Maybe part of the reason God let this happen is because He wanted us to adopt." Run added, "It's heaven to have this baby come into our house at this time, at Christmas."

SOURCE: www.celebrity-babies.com

READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!