THE 10TH ANNUAL MISTA COUTURE STYLE CONTEST--L.A EDITION APPLICATIONS START MAY 1!

DO YOU HAVE STYLE?

DO YOU HAVE A GREAT PERSONALITY?

ARE YOU A SOCIAL MEDIA STAR?


MAATOLOGY PRODUCTIONS IS BRINGING THE CONTEST BACK TO L.A. IN 2018
FOR ITS 10TH ANNUAL MISTA COUTURE STYLE CONTEST to compete for CASH and PRIZES!!

We are seeking 20 gents to compete in the actual show that will take place September 2018 (Los Angeles Venue TBA in July 2018) in the Los Angeles Arts District.

 In order to be selected to to compete, you must present a recent picture of yourself in a stylish outfit (formal or casual) and send us your location city, age, email address, social media contact (especially your Facebook page) , contact number and email it to snaphoney2011@gmail.com by JUNE 1, 2018 to compete for one of the 20 spots to compete. 

If chosen we will send you all the details in a written agreement that should be signed by July 1 when the actual promotions for a spot in the 20 finalists will begin.

Prizes of each title include Mr Couture winner ($500 plus swag bag from our sponsors, a sash, certificate, photo shoot or calendar shoot, attending fashion events supported by the company) and the Popular Vote Winner ($250 plus swag bag, certificate and a sash). Non winners will receive a participatory bag.

SERIOUS REPLIES ONLY!

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK @MISTACOUTURE

OUT 338--TOP BLACK ENTERTAINMENT STORIES of 2017

The Year 2017 has been a historic year in entertainment especially for African Americans and people of color.  From the film, "Moonlight" an LGBT centric film winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards , to the meteoric  rise of  comedian Tiffany Haddish  and rapper/reality star Cardi B and actress Maghan Markel planning her royal wedding to Prince Harry . Along with historymakers there were those whose personal lives took the spotlight  going viral in the social mediasphere.


Below are the TOP 10 BLACK ENTERTAINMENT STORIES of 2017

Honorable Mention: Various NFL players continue Colin Kaepernicks "knee-test" from last year and protesters plans boycott of NFL.

10.Usher's herpes allegations from accusers

Grammy Award winning singer Usher personal life kept him in the news for half of July. It was reported that Usher paid a woman $1.1 million to settle a lawsuit after she claimed she contracted a sexually transmitted disease from him, according to legal documents. The legal papers claim Usher knew that he had herpes but still engaged in unprotected sex with a woman without telling her of his condition. Then, as news of that lawsuit made headlines, another lawsuit was filed by another woman for similar reasons. Another woman also came forward claiming she and Usher hooked up in a hotel room, something he denied.  

9.Wendy Williams faints on live TV 

The Queen of Gab was the Hot Topic this year when she fainate don her popular talk show.  Dressed as the iconic Statue of Liberty for her annual Halloween show, about 48 minutes into the broadcast  Williams appeared behind a plastic podium, ready to kick off the “How You Doin’? Halloween Costume Contest.”But while announcing the segment, Williams began slurring her words. She then slowed down and started swaying back and forth before stumbling backwards and catching herself. After a lengthy commerical break, Williams returned on set and said she will coninue the show. Williams claimed her fall was due to heat exhaustion.

8.Cardi B makes music history 

When you are spoofed on Saturday Night Live, you have achieved pop culturedom. And reality star Cardi B became part of that status through comedian Tifffany Haddish. The turn of events for Cardi occurred when  in September, her song "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It marked only the second time in history that a female rapper topped the charts unaccompanied (The first being Lauryn Hill in 1998 with "Doo Wop (That Thing)"  but technically Cardi is the first who just rapped, whearas Lauryn rapped and sang).  Later in the year, she was nominated for two Grammy Awards for her historic song and she notched two more Top 10 hits ("Motorsports" with Migoa and Nikki Minaj) and G-Eazy’s A$AP Rocky-featuring “No Limit,).

7. GET OUT and GIRLS TRIP break Box Office records 

Two movies that began with the letter "G" and has two word titles  "Get Out" and “Girls Trip” emerged as the top grossing movies of 2017. "Get Out," released in February, directed by comedian Jordan Peele’s in his directorial debut, was a surprise  hit, making more than $200 million  and making its $4.5 million budget back tenfold.  The movie, which was a mix of dark humor and horror was  about a Black man who discovers a horrifying family secret while visiting his white girlfriend’s parents for the first time. The summer film, "Girls Trip" that featured Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish as four long-time friends on a road trip to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans  was box office gold. The movie  made over  $100 million , making it the highest grossing live action comedy of the year. Both movies made overnight "celebsations" out of Daniel Kaluuya  and Tiddany Haddish respectively.

6. Bill Cosby on trial

Comedian Bill Cosby's rape allegations from several women spilled over from 2016 into the next year with a high-profile sexual assault trial in which Cosby faced off against one of his dozens of accusers. The trial ended in a mistrial on June 17 after a Pennsylvania jury was deadlocked , unable to come to a unanimous decision. The jury deliberated for six days before a judge announced the mistrial. In the middle of all of this, the defense asked for a mistrial, but the judge refused to grant one and told the jury to keep talking it out to try to reach a “guilty” or “not guilty” verdict.  Cosby was charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault against Andrea Constand. He now faces a retrial in spring 2018.

5.Omarosa leaves White House 

In December, The former "Apprentice" star was in her own reality when it was reported that  Omarosa Manigault Newman was fired and escorted from her job "kicking and screaming" by President Trump's Chief of Staffer John Kelly. She quickly refuted the allegations going on Good Morning America when interviewed saying  she resigned and that her last day would be Jan 20 to meet her one year mark as the assistant to the president and director of communications for the Office of Public Liaison. The huge backlash from the African American community via social media resulted when Omarosa tried to claim that she accepted the job to help for her people. The remarks even had GMA anchor Robin Roberts speak out of her journalistic ethos saying, "Bye Felicia."

4.The Year of Tiffany Haddish 

This was definitely  the year of Tiffany Haddish. The budding comedian whose stint on the "The Carmichael Show," ended earlier this year, but, thus summer,  had her breakthrough role in the adult comedy "Girls Trip" stealing every scene (and made grapefruit a food phenom) she was in with her co-stars.  Since "Trip," she has received a Critics Choice nomination and there are talks of an Oscar. She  also starred in her own Showtime comedy special and in November, she became the first African American female comedian to host the longtime skitcom "Saturday Night Live" and bringing in huge numbers in viewership. She also wrapped a movie with Kevin Hart and released her first memoir, "The Last Black Unicorn." 

3.Meghan Markle gets engaged to a prince, causes racial backlash

In November,  the "Suits" actress made history with the color of her skin. Kensington Palace announced that Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle got engaged.  The wedding will be in May 2018 at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The day the engagement was announced, Harry and Markle spoke together for the first time, telling the BBC of the  proposal. The engagement sparked some racist backlash because Markle is a half-Black actress, a divorcee and three years older than the prince.

2.Oscar Snafu LaLa Land/Moonlight 

The biggest night in Hollywood had a record number of African Americans who won Oscars (Viola Davis winning Supporting Actress for "Fences" and Mahershala Ali winning Best Supporting Actor for "Moonlight")  ended with a serious OOPS  when "La La Land" was announced as Best Picture by actress Faye Dunaway   when she read it from her co-presenter Warren Beatty's envelope.  When the producer and team of "LaLa Land" received the award,  it was revealed that "Moonlight" actually won the award making it the biggest mistake in the awards history. In the days that followed, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the accounting firm that tallies the Oscar votes, said that one of its accountants handed the wrong envelope to presenters Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

AND THE NUMBER ONE STORY OF 2017 IS:

1.Sexual Harrassment charges/allegations

 in Hollywood; #Me Too Movement 

This story  transcended race, gender and class . In October, Hollywood was in the spotlight but not for its entertainment. When, The New York Times published its first story about producer Harvey Weinstein, in which several women, including actress Ashley Judd, accused him of sexual harassment. What followed was an avalanche of accusations made by more than 80 women, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek, all accusing Weinstein of sexual misconduct. Weinstein, who was terminated by his own company and expelled from the Academy of Arts and Sciences, has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, though he is currently being investigated by more than one police department.However, Weinstein was just one of many powerful man to be impacted by damning allegations. In the weeks and months that followed, hordes of women went public with stories of harassment, spawning a popular Twitter hashtag, #MeToo (that was created by African Ameircan woman Tarana Burke ten years ago).  Actor Terry Crews was the first noted man to come out with his allegations of sexual harassment opening the conversation to men who are sexually assaulted. Among the men who lost their jobs in the aftermath: NBC News' Matt Lauer, CBS News' Charlie Rose and "House of Cards" star Kevin Spacey, mogul Russell Simmons and talk show host, Tavis Smiley. 

RIP BITZ

In 2017, we lost some notable African American entertainers and figures who made an impact in their respective fields. 

Al Jarreau -  Just days after announcing that he was retiring from touring after being hospitalized for exhaustion, legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau passed away 2/12/17. He was 76.

Joni Sledge -  Singer Joni Sledge, founding member of the iconic musical group Sister Sledge was found unresponsive at her home i on March 10 . She was 60.

Auntie Fee -   Viral internet sensation Auntie Fee has passed away after spending three days on life support. The video cook's March 14 heart attack led to her untimely death. She was 59.

Chuck Berry -  The rock pioneer  whose rollicking songs, springy guitar riffs and onstage duck walk defined rock & roll during its early years and for decades to come, died on March 18th. Berry was 90 years old.

Linda Hopkins -  The singer  whose soaring, gospel-rooted voice was heard on Broadway died 4/10/17 . She was 92.

Charlie Murphy -   the older brother of Eddie Murphy, a Chappelle's Show star and an accomplished comedian in his own right, died 4/12/17. He was 57.

Cuba Gooding Sr. -  The singer and father to actors Cuba  Jr and Omar was found dead in a parked vehicle in California  4/20/17. He was 72.

Christopher "Big Black" Boykin-The Rob & Big star passed away on May 9 at age 45 after suffering heart failure. 

Prodigy-The rapper, who was a member of the hip-hop duo Mobb Deep, died on June 20 at age 42, from complications from sickle cell anemia. 

Nelsan Ellis-The True Blood actor, who played Lafayette Reynolds, died at age 39 in July after suffering complications from heart failure

Dick Gregory -   Dick Gregory, the pioneering black satirist who transformed cool humor into a barbed force for civil rights in the 1960s, then veered from his craft for a life devoted to protest and fasting in the name of assorted social causes, health regimens and conspiracy theories, died 8/19 . He was 84.

Bernie Casey -   Bernie Casey, best known for his scene-stealing role in Revenge of the Nerds and as the star of I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, has died at the age of 78.

Hugh Hefner-The Playboy founder died at the age of 91 on Wednesday, September 27. "

Ralphie May-The stand-up comedian died at age 45 on October 6 after suffering cardiac arrest

Keith Wilder -   Keith Wilder, the singer of the influential Seventies funk outfit Heatwave, died 10/29/17 at the age of 65. 

Robert Guillaume-Actor Robert Guillaume, best known for his title role on the 1990s series Benson, died at the age of 89 at his . home  October 24. 

Fats Domino-The rock 'n' roll legend died of natural causes at the age of 89 on October 24.

Earle Hyman-Best known for playing Russell Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Earle Hyman died at 91 on November 17 at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

Della Reese-The Touched by an Angel alum and “Don’t You Know?” singer died at her home in California at age 86 on November 19.

FIN.

OUT 337-FASHION PIX FOR DELUX MAG's 3rd ANNUAL POWER 100 GALA

As you know, we here at OUTSTAGN is all about fashion and every time the OUTCAM is led to special events, its fashion eye will follow. Below are some of the looks that were snapped that we found to be either fashion worthy, edgy and/or relevant to the event.

LADIES

GENTS

EVENT DATES/COUPLES

And those were our picks. It was slim pickings to try and find the fashions that really stood out...for the best, but we think we found them!

OUT 336-DELUX MAGAZINE's 3rd AnNUAL POWER 100 GALA@RITZ CARLTON In CLAYTON, MO. DEC 17

PHOTOS BY MAATOLOGY 

EARLY ARRIVALS RED CARPET

THE PRE-DINNER

MORE EARLY ARRIVALS 

             Delux Magazine team member ML Hunt and his male model crew. 

The DJ/violinist during the reception 

Delux Magazine team member Mocha Latte(center) and daughter Sydney (left) and guest

The chef of the dinner and guest 

VIP RECEPTION

STL media personality Tammie Holland interviewing guests on the red carpet.

THE AWARDS CEREMONY 

Greetings were done by Delux Magazine team member Malissa Shaw 

The audience watching a video of a past Power event.

The mistress of ceremonies was Holland

Wells Fargo's Vanessa Foster-Cooksey recited a poem about tonite's evening before bringing up....

.....Motivational speaker Koran Bolden....

The first awards were given to the Everyday Heroes which 

included Cecilia Harris, Coach Antonio Irons, 

Dr. Miranda Avant-Elliot, Dr Nicole Evans, Dr Rodney Lewis, Garon Patrick Mosby....

...Michael Brown, Robert Steeples, Roosevelt Mitchell III, 

Tara Washington, Shirley Moore and

Steve Roberts.

The next set of awardees were for Pushing The Culture. The honorees were Angela Grady, Cornell "Niddy" Thirdkill, Dr Art McCoy, Michael Kennedy Jr, ,Keisha Mabry, Khalia Collier, Eric Madkins, Nate Johnson, Rasheen Aldridge, Rep Bruce Franks Jr., Sheronica Hardin, Theron Morgan, Tony Davis, Lashell Eikerenkoetter and Sarita Moody.

The next honorees were for  Black Business Owners. The honorees were Rob McCully, Haven Hobbs, Kristy Jackson, Rance John, Dallas Holland, Katina Mims, Sheryl and James Myers, Roland Paige, Jason Wilson and William Porter,.

The next honorees were for Influencers. The awardees were Afton Johnson, Michelle Tucker, Timothy Moore, Sheldon Jackson, Ahmad Muhammad, Arika Parr, Arvetta Powell, Craig Thomas....

....Bijal Desai-Ramirez, Darren Sunkett, Damion Jones, Damarco Davidson, Eric Mitchell, Michael B Thomas, Lawrence Bryant, Lisa West.....

                                          

.....Markus Goldston, Kory  Bernaug, Ms Robbie Montgomery and Michael Roberts Sr.

The next category was for  Game Changers. The awardees were Michael Woods, Barbara Perry, Brandy Butler, Chalana  Scales-Ferguson, Darryl Tyler, Dean Kpere-Diabo, Kayla Thompson, Lafayette Burns,  Rosalyn Manahan, Ed D., , Nashad Carrington, Bradley J Rayford.....

.....Serajeni Hammond, Stacy Hollins, Vega Sills and Winnie Caldwell.

The next set of awards had gone to Community Builders. The honorees were Abdul-Kaba Abdullah, Leroy Schumpert Jr, Terry L Wilson, Vanessa Hughes, James Clark and Dr. Karla Frye.

The next set of awardees were Up and Coming. The honorees were Vanessa Townshend, Tony Thompson, Sunni Minnx, Deerra Williams, Charee O, Rocki Jones, Cheryl Walker, \

Veta Jeffrey...Gary Spiller, Sean Brasfield, Stephanie McCloud and Kendra Elaine.

The Legacy Award had gone to the late Jaz Loron Granderson. Accepting was his father.

A picture of Granderson flashed on the screen  during his fathers speech,

His father was humbled and shedded tears when remembering  his son . 

The next set of awards had gone to Distinguished Honorees. They were:

Gary Gunter

Kelvin Adams----pictured are Power 100 creator Keith Griffin II, a rep for Adams, and Cooksey.

The family of actor Sterling K Brown accepted his award on his behalf as Griffin looks on.

Griffin poses with the next honoree was Dr. Nina Caldwell.

Distinguished awardee Adrian Bracy speaks after accepting her award.

Griffin poses with awardee Dr. Jason Purnell.

Griffin poses with awardee Irasa Downing and presenter Laurence Hopkins 

The Trailblazer Award had gone to Dr Dwan J Warmack posed with Griffin and Hopkins.

Rep  Bruce Franks presented Griffin a Proclamation from the city  commemorating the event.

Attendees grab copies of  Power 100 program with all the honorees.

Close up of the programs.

An awardee, a guest and Franks.

Attendees take a final red carpet pic.

NOTE: It was reported about 800 people attended this event which was the biggest attended so far. Kudos to Delux and the team for a well produced event. It has quickly become the gala to attend to network and schmooze with St Louis' who's who. Besides a brief situation involving the removal of Mr Couture's  sash upon request of the event producer (that was resolved and handled without any problems ), from our point of view, everything  ran smoothly and everyone seemed to have had a great time celebrating excellence at The Ritz Carlton.