The 83rd Academy Awards Were Horrible, Thank God For Black Women Who Brought Their Fashion "A" Game

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it"
~ Lena Horne

Other than Oscar winner Melissa Leo's F-bomb during her acceptance speech for winning Best-Supporting Actress for her role in the film "The Fighter", this year's Academy Awards was a uninspiring snooze fest.

With a dearth of diversity that was accurately predicted months ago, these African American performers and journalists pictured below at least provided us something to smile about.

Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson

Good Morning America's Robin Roberts

Oscar and Grammy Award winning actress/singer Jennifer Hudson

First Woman of Color To Win For Best Actress Halle Berry

Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Robin Roberts and Shaun Robinson gave the 2011 Oscars some much needed color! These women, along with Oprah Winfrey (whose new OWN network is struggling), represented African Americans well.

The touching tribute the Academy did for the legendary Lena Horne, however, gave some redemption to what was otherwise a dreadful telecast that many believe was the worst ceremony ever!

Esquire Thinks Halle Berry is The Sexiest Woman Alive? Well, Duh!!!

What's black, white and hot all over? Alongside a photo spread that shows her in little more than a T-shirt, Halle Berry talks about being the sexiest woman alive, a title Esquire magazine gives her in its November issue. Halle Berry says "sexiness is a state of mind -- a comfortable state of being."

"I don't know exactly what it means, but being 42 and having just had a baby, I think I'll take it," says Berry, who gave birth to her daughter, Nahla, in March.

"Sexiness is a state of mind -- a comfortable state of being," she says. "It's about loving yourself in your most unlovable moments."

But the biracial sister, who won an Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball," can't claim the sexiest-woman honor all to herself.

"I share this title with every woman, because every woman is a nominee for it at any moment," she says.

October 7, 2008, 12:01 PM

Halle Berry Is the Sexiest Woman Alive, 2008
Buzz up!As the culmination of our anniversary celebration, Halle Berry -- who just had a baby, like, six months ago -- presents the final re-creations of classic Esquire covers. Here, she delivers her acceptance speech.

I've been in the business for more than twenty years, and you decide now, at this particular time, that I'm the sexiest woman alive? Come on. I mean, you couldn't go with the Bond-girl year? You didn't like the orange bikini? I liked the orange bikini.

That would have been a pretty good year. Or what about the Monster's Ball year? That was a sexy moment. Couldn't you have packaged that up with some list of the best movie sex scenes ever? That would have been very easy, very magaziney. But 2008? Well, I don't know exactly what it means, but being forty-two and having just had a baby, I think I'll take it. There are billions of women on the planet, but let's just say for shits and giggles that I am the sexiest woman alive.

First, I would have to thank all the people who made it happen. I would thank the good folks at Esquire for thinking outside the box -- even if those folks are just eight editors wearing competing seventy-five-dollar button-down shirts, swinging themselves around in cheap desk chairs in some windowless conference room somewhere above Manhattan.

I'd also have to thank my "team," the ones who make the magic happen -- my hair designer, my stylist, my makeup artist, and my beloved trainer. And I would absolutely have to thank the photographer, because without him, the camera is all lies of a different sort. I mean, look at the pictures. That takes a lot of work. I'm lucky to have these people. Don't think I don't know it.

Does being the sexiest woman alive imply that I know a thing or two about what's sexy and, possibly, about sex itself? I'm not sure, but here's what I do know: I know damned well I'm sexier now than I used to be. Let me make an argument here -- not so much for me, or even for my age being sexy, but for what I've learned.

I've picked up a little over the years. Sexy is not about wearing sexy clothes or shaking your booty until you damn near get hip dysplasia; it's about knowing that sexiness is a state of mind -- a comfortable state of being. It's about loving yourself even in your most unlovable moments. I know a little bit about that.

Sexiness is also about knowing what's sexy to you. To me, spaghetti is sexy, especially when it's served off the tips of a man's fingers. I like that. And I think wine is sexy, just before sex. It relaxes me. But if I want to get a serious groove on -- if I want an out-of-body experience -- I'm all about the sloe-gin fizz.

I think lingerie is sexy, and I'll wear it, sure. But truth is, I'm good-to-go in a tank top and bare feet -- although every woman should own at least one good pair of pumps. That's really the only wardrobe you need for sex: a tank top and pumps.

When it comes to what I think is sexy about men, I like forearms. That's my body part. They're generally exposed, available, a little bit vulnerable. A forearm is different with every man, and when it comes to forearms, size matters. I don't like them slight.

Ask me what's the sexiest car in the world and I'll just say my man's car, because it smells like him, because his shape is pressed into the seat, because it's littered with little bits of his life -- his golf balls or his chocolate-bar wrappers -- and it's ripe with the smells of him. That's the car I most want to ride in.

What else? Ah, yes: the big O. You know that stuff they say about a woman being responsible for her own orgasms? That's all true. And in my case, that makes me responsible for pretty damned good orgasms these days. Much better orgasms than when I was twenty-two. And I wouldn't let a man control that. Not anymore. Now I'd invite him to participate. I'll tell you this: I've learned my tricks. I know what I like. I do not wait around. I initiate. And I'm not all about frequency. I favor intensity.

There have been some men in my life who have been wickedly sexy and have taught me much about sexual pleasure. There are a few men I should thank, and others I need to forget. But I don't regret. To hell with regret. I like what I am now. I like being a mother. I like my body better since I became a mother. I feel sexier as a result of becoming a mother.

You see, the years go by and you learn, and that just deepens your understanding of every experience. And then sex is better -- it feels like you're in control, and you're sort of not in control at the same time, and that is completely satisfying.

So, yes, there are times when I feel like the sexiest woman alive, but would I ever argue that I am the sexiest woman alive? Of course not. I figure at one moment the sexiest woman alive is a waitress in Abilene, Texas. And in the very next second, it's a woman in the bush of Vanuatu. Then, right away, somewhere else. Sex and sexiness. It's all about the moment; it's about what you know as much as it is what you offer. That's why I share this title with every woman, because every woman is a nominee for it at any moment. Maybe that's why there are so many women these guys love.

If there were a real event where they gave an award for this title, I would wave the trophy here. I would thank everyone all over again, then I'd probably blow a kiss to Tom Chiarella for helping me write this. I would turn my head and say, "You can start the music now, I'm done." I'd be wearing pumps. I'd be just a little breathless. And I admit I would not rush off the stage.

Esquire

QUICKIE: HALLE BERRY AND BABY GIRL NAYLA: LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER?

Gorgeous!

Comic-Con A Convention of Geeks Finally Getting Hot Women They Deserve

The Comic-Con Convention is next week in San Diego, California. I am vindicated and will definitely be there.

Spiderman has produced three $100 million dollar movies, and Superman has four. Every three years the X-Men series revitalizes Halle Berry's career, not to mention Fantastic Four. Currently, two of the top movies for 2008 are Iron Man and The Hulk.

As a teenager I was laughed at, ridiculed and girls didn't take my comic book collecting as sexy or sign of maturity. Ladies, how ya' like me now! Get the full schedule at Comic-Con.

The Sista With The Ill Na-Na Gets Her Out Of Jail Pass Card Punched

Foxy Brown Freed from Prison in New York

Halle Berry Makes Movie-After-Baby Plans
Black Colleges Seek More Support from Alumni
Zimbabwe Launches Ballot Recount

College Students March for Affirmative Action
Isiah Thomas Fired as Coach of New York Knicks

Pope Laments US 'Injustices' to Blacks, Indians

Black Community Takes Stand: 'Harlem is Not for Sale!'
Judge Will Decide if Court Will Hear Kilpatrick Case
NAACP Wants Troopers Fired Over Klan-like Costume
Are the Liberty City Seven Victims of Overzealous Prosecution?

BET, TV One Bank On Big Up-Fronts in 08'

What Makes Hizzoner Kwame Kilpatrick Think He Can Actually KEEP HIS JOB???

Detroit City Council Asks Mayor Kilpatrick to Resign
Clinton on Obama’s Speech: I Haven’t Heard It
Michigan Affirmative Action Lawsuit Tossed
Kenyan President Signs Power-Share Law
Half of Black Teen Girls Has an STD?

African Migrants Risk All for Better Life in Israel

Banned Episodes of 'The Boondocks' Air in Canada
In Burundi, Names Speak Volumes
Berry Names Daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry
Dozens of Katrina Victims Sue FEMA Over Fumes in Trailers
Man Detained in South Africa for Being 'Too Dark'
Busta Rhymes Begins Probation in NY

Halle Berry Delivers Her Greatest Performance: A Baby Girl

Sexy Black film star Halle Berry – who only recently said, "I want to stay pregnant forever" – is now a mommy!

Berry and baby daddy Gabriel Aubry had a baby girl Sunday and "is doing great," her rep has confirmed.

The 41-year-old actress and the 32-year-old model met while shooting a Versace ad in Los Angeles in November 2005 and first stepped out publicly together three months later at the February 2006 opening of a Versace boutique in New York City.

Berry first announced her pregnancy in September last year, when she was three months along.

During her pregnancy, the Oscar, Emmy and Razzie winner told InStyle she felt "fantastic" thanks to eating right and keeping fit with yoga, swimming, light weights and an elliptical machine. "Right now I just have so much joy and energy," she said. "I can just go and go and go."

For his part, Aubry has been reading baby manualsand parenting books. [People]

BABY WATCH: Who Will Be First, Jennifer Or Halle?

Looks like Jennifer Lopez Is Getting Ready To Drop It Like It's Hot!

Internet sites are buzzing that Jenny from the block has checked into North Shore University Hospital in Long Island, New York ahead of her twins birth date. Meanwhile actress Halle Berry is also expected to deliver any day now.

One New York gossip column maintain that the singer and hubby Marc Anthony have officially occupied a room that has “been sitting empty for two weeks."A fellow patient also revealed that she overheard excited staff members exclaiming, "J.Lo is here," early on Wednesday morning.

The couple, who just reportedly landed a record-breaking $6.5 million dollar baby picture deal with People and OK magazine, went public with the baby news during a concert in Miami, Florida late last year. Lopez' father confirmed his daughter was expecting dos muchachos last month. As for Halle, she too is cutting a deal like Jen and Christina Aguillera for those just-born pics. DEVELOPING...

Halle Berry: Black Girls Rule, Even When They're KNOCKED UP!

Gabriel really needs to marry Ms. Berry and make that baby legit. Not feeling the curly 'do, but for me -- Halle can do no wrong!

Halle Berry, Jay Z, R Kelly, Will Smith & A B2K Sex Scandal Tops Your Special Christmas Day Edition

Halle Berry's Pregnant and her baby belly appears to have doubled overnight. Shopping at the Party Paper Life gift shop in Beverly Hills, the sexy biracial mommy to be was out and about sans model donor Gabriel Aubrey. Don't hate on the White guy family.

Meanwhile, Jean Johnson, 49, used her cellphone camera to snap pictures of R. Kelly during a recent hearing in court and got slammed for it. Ironically, Kelly still hasn't gone to trial on those child porn charges ... After five years. Johnson plead guilty to contempt of court and was sentenced to the five days, but was released for time served.

An Internet rumor that went on ad nauseum, Jay-Z's has finally ditched his Def Jam Post. Giving up or being fired -- whatever works for you -- allows the Donald Trump of hip hop to, in his words, "get back to being a rapper," and ... open a hotel? Jay's boss, L.A. Reid, says he's sorry Jay will be leaving: "He will nonetheless be missed in this executive capacity."

Did Will Smith actually say that Hitler wasn't That Bad? The Jewish Defense League is calling on Barack Obama to repudiate Smith's comments, and wants theaters to pull Smith's new flick "I Am Legend" from their screens. Smith told a Scottish paper that Hitler "didn't wake up going, 'Let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' ... I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.'"

Chris Stokes who managed the band B2K before they broke up, is saying "Hell to the nah!"over allegations he sexually abused former member Demario "Raz-B" Thorton and his brother, Ricardo aka Ricky Romance . "The accusations that Demario "Raz B" Thorton and Ricardo Thorton have made are vehemently false and hold no merit. I have recently stopped financially supporting both individuals along with assisting them with their criminal and legal matters which leads me to believe they are resentful and looking to benefit financially from this," the producer and director maintains.

Pics and stories from TMZ.com

Black Beauty Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon And White Husband Welcome Twin Boys

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon Welcomes Sons

50 Cent Writes Book about His Life /Criticizes Nas Over 'Stupid' Title

Morgan Stanley Settles Race Bias Suit for $16M

Foxy Brown Put in Punitive Segregation

Katrina Missteps Still Haunting Bush

Halle Berry Sorry for Joke about Jewish Noses

Keyshia Cole Proves She's Just Like You
Let's Move on Ideas for Helping Young Black Males

Man Arrested for Tying Noose Around Tupac Statue
Memorial Held for Slain Reggae Star Lucky Dube
82-Year-Old School for Blacks Makes History
Laurence Fishburne to Star on Broadway in 'Thurgood'
Magic Johnson Honored with Freedom Award

National Civil Rights Museum to Receive $1M Grant from Ford
Ethiopia Starts Re-Erecting Ancient Obelisk
Diddy Inks Ciroc Vodka Deal
10yrs After Million Woman March, Commemoration Scheduled
Memorial Held for Slain Reggae Star Lucky Dube
Obama Learned from Failed Congress Run
Baltimore Groups Plan to Draw Attention to Murder Epidemic

Quickie: Is Halle Berry Making You Thirsty?

Are Pregnant Women Sexy or What???

For Michael Vick, Things Keep Going From Bad To Worse!

Michael Vick's Mansion Up For Sale
Halle's New 'Things We Lost in the Fire'
Tiger Woods Signs $100 Million 'Gatorade Tiger' Deal
FBI Investigating Hateful Flyers in California
L.A. Reid Stands 'Firmly Behind' Nas Over LP Title
Whites Participate Quietly in African American Baptist Body

Wachovia Bank Sues Vick For Defaulting On $1.3 Mil Loan
African American Firms Lauded for Strengthening Communities
NAACP Gives Lodging Industry 'C'
Obama: Justice Department Must Fire Voting Rights Official
KRS-One Relaunching Stop The Violence Movement
Africa's Strong Growth to Continue
Two Arrested in Staten Island Bias Attack

GOOD NEWS HALLE TALKS ABOUT THE BABY

HALLE BERRY appeared on today's "OPRAH WINFREY Show" speaking publicly for the first time since announcing her pregancy last month. "I'm sort of superstitious, so I saved all of the negative tests in a drawer," she says. "Don't ask! I don't know why, but I did. After about 35 tests, we finally got a positive test."
Halle, 41, has been in a serious relationship with model GABRIEL AUBRY for two years, but says she's always been open to kids, regardless of whether or not she was involved. "I had resigned myself to, 'I'm going to be single until I'm 50, at least, and I'll have a child on my own,'" she tells Oprah. "I was really okay with that."

The big-screen star also reveals she hopes to have many munchkins running around the house. "Well, there's just one right now," Halle says. "But we're hoping right after this one to do it again."

Biracial Pregnant Beauty Halle Berry Has A White Mother, So Why Are Racist Threats Being Directed Towards Her Kid???

Halle Berry Receives Racist Threats to Unborn Baby

Book Review of Steffans' Vixen Diaries
High Court to Hear Voter ID Arguments
'Jena 6' Teen's Case to Be Heard in Juvenile Court

Zimbabwe's President Slams Bush 'Hypocrisy' on Human Rights

Black History Museum Opens Online
'Automobile University' Aims to Build Black Management
Beijing Police Round Up and Beat African Expats

Ohio High School Honored for African American Male Success

Tyler Perry's Property Dispute Creates Drama
African Flood Appeal Falls on Deaf Ears
Usher Reveals He and Wife are Expecting a Boy

Jena 6, Republicans And The Race For The White House: Now That's A Mouthful!

GOP's Fred Thompson Knows "Nothing" About The Jena 6
Why Jesse Jackson Is Calling Bush On The Jena Case
Bush Has No Love For Obama, Put's Money On Hillary
Activists Gather for Discussions on Black Power
Lasting Legacy: 50th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine
Naomi Campbell Still Has What It Takes
Woman Wants Share of James Brown Estate
Halle Berry Already Hooked on More Kids
Tuskegee Airman Tireless in Telling Black Heroes' Tale
Sharpton on Delaware State University Shooting
US Donates 96 Million Dollars to Ethiopia
Wesley Snipes Vows to Challenge $1.7M Court Order
BET to Air 'Hip-Hop vs. America'

Quickie: Her Bump, Her Bump, Halle's Lovely Baby Bump!

Halle Berry is clearly showing now. Looks like it's going to be a race to the delivery room between her and Nicole Richie.

Now Sherri's Bringin Flava To The View Just As Black Folks Say Hell No To Fellow Comedian Eddie Griffin!

Sherri Shepherd Makes 2 Sistahs On 'The View'
African American Farmers Look for Justice
Eve to Host Revamped Vibe Awards

Eric Benet Weighs In On Halle Berry Pregnancy

15-Year-Old Genius Moves into Penn
Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller Concedes

Eddie Griffin Gets the Hook for Using N-Word

Congress Holds Hearing on Hip-Hop
Civil Rights Leaders Urge Better Protection of Voter Rights

Oprah Mulls 'Broader' Obama Campaign Role

Israel to Grant Citizenship to Select Darfur Refugees
Nerjyzed Announces Black College Football Videogame

Halle Berry Pregnant By White Model Boyfriend: Brothers David Justice & Eric Benet Messed Up So, Whup... There It Is!

Oscar winning actress and crazy fine sistah Halle Berry is preggers.

"Yes, I am three months pregnant," Berry confirmed to Access Hollywood." Berry's first child in route is with Gabriel Aubry, her White model boyfriend of almost two years.

Gabriel and I are beyond excited and I've waited a long time for this moment in my life."Now the next seven months will be the longest of my life!"Berry, 41, has made no secret of her desire to start a family in recent years."My sights are set on a different chapter in my life, which is motherhood. That's the goal I have very clearly set for myself," she told Parade in an interview earlier this year.

In April, she told Access Hollywood she had reached a point where she was "really, really ready" to procreate."Not that there's not more to accomplish, but I think I arrived at a point in life that I realized I needed more to get me up in the morning. More than going to a new movie set...I need something even more profound than that and that's family. And that's children," Berry said."

I need that like the air to breathe these days and I'm ready."Berry met Aubry, 31, in November 2005 and the twosome made their first public appearance together at the February 2006 opening of a Versace boutique in New York.

The actress' first marriage to baseball star David Justice ended in 1996, while her divorce from second husband, R&B crooner Eric Bénet was finalized in January 2005 after allegations that he was a sex addict.

We're happy for the Ohio biracial native and send out nothing but love for her.

Our only wish was that she could have started a family with a Black man. So much for that!

An expecting Halle means producers of the upcoming Lionsgate film "Tulia" must now scrap plans to start filming in October. Apparently Berry was set to star in the movie about the drug and racial profiling scandal in Tulia, Texas.

The film, scheduled for a 2008 release, was to be directed by John Singleton and also starred her butt-naked "Monster's Ball" co-star Billy Bob Thornton.

41 Never Looked So Good: The Halle Berry 2002 Oscar Retro Show... Just Because!

Happy Birthday Halle!