MY SOUL TO TAKE

By Tananarive Due

Tananarive Due is one of the most prolific writers in African-American fiction today, and one of the few women wiring science fiction.  In this, her ninth novel, a telepathic immortal is charged with saving the world before a very biblical-like rapture.

If that other paranormal book about vampires and werewolves got you interested in the genre, make Due your next stop. Just be prepared, her writing has a lot more bite. – RAKIA CLARK

We want you to think about what you were doing, and wearing, at 11-years-old.

Chances are you weren’t touring the world with a number 1 hit single that blew up the charts, and most of your time playing dress up never went further than you modeling one of your mama’s wigs.

However, for WILLOW SMITH, the offspring of WILL and JADA-PINKETT SMITH, that isn’t the case. The elementary-aged pop star has not been shy about wanting to live up to the fame and achievements of her parents, and WILL and JADA don’t seem to have a problem letting their children experiment with their personal styles. But for an 11 year-old, how much is wayyyy too much?

WILLOW first hit the scene with her single “Whip My Hair,” and appeared in the video with a braid extensions, paired with shaved sides. A little edgier than we’d expect from most 5th graders, but it was appropriate for the theme of the song so we didn’t think much of it. However, eyebrows raised last week when photographers snapped photos of WILLOW in NYC, who had shaved her hair off …

Click inside to read more…

THE WEALTH CURE: PUTTING MONEY IN ITS PLACE

By Hill Harper

Folks who aren’t in the HILL HARPER fan club may think of him as a poor man’s James Franco (you know the scruffy guy from 127 Hours): actor, scholar, all around everyman. But it’s clear Harper has way more talent and brains.

Now on his fourth book, he tackles money matters. He’s a smart guy sharing his own experience (including a recent battle with thyroid cancer) forced him to make the distinction between money and true wealth. That’s a good lesson for all of us. – RAKIA CLARK

Reuters reports that the 1992 film The Bodyguard, that featured the HOUSTON hit, “I Will Always Love You,” on it soundtrack will reappear in select theaters March 28th.

The re-release of the film featuring co-star KEVIN COSTNER is not being billed as tribute in light of HOUSTON’s death, but instead was originally planned before her death to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the film.

Either way this is great news for the generations who may have not known about the film’s impact, and even better for those who want to have a nostalgic moment in viewing it a second time around on the big screen.

Presented by NCM Fathom Events and Warner Bros., The Bodyguard event will be broadcast to more than 400 select movie theaters across the nation.

For all the naturals who love hair products for curly ‘dos, this giveaway is made especially for you!

Sofn’free recently introduced a new line of products, made especially with naturalistas in mind, called Nothing But, and focus on providing affordable and simple hair care.

Nothing But’ has partnered with Juicy to give three lucky ladies a chance to win the whole collection, which includes he Clarifying Shampoo, Cleansing Conditioner, Curly Pudding, Intense Healing Mask, Curl Sealer, Curl Wake Up Spray, and the Mold & Hold Wax.

All products do not include damaging ingredients like mineral oil, phthalates, sulfates, petrolatum, nor colorants, but are specially formulated to suit various curly textures with an emphasis on loose waves, ringlets and coils.

Feel like these products are worth checking out? Follow the simple directions below to enter for a chance to win!

1. Be sure to “Like,” Juicy Magazine on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @JuicyMagazine

2. Be sure to follow @NothingButHair on Twitter.

3. Then tweet both @JuicyMagazine and @NothingButHair telling us about your natural hair, following this template: “I’m nothing but ______________ about my juicy, natural hair!”

4.  Send Your Name, Your Twitter Handle, Telephone Number, and Address To juicymagstaff@gmail.com.

5. One winner will be chosen at random. Contest ends Friday, March 16, 2012. Good Luck!

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

By Lutishia Lovely

Lutishia Lovely’s first Christian-themed series, the Hallelujah books, had titles like Sex in the Sanctuary.  In This latest series, the book titles less provocative, but the stories are not.  Here, the Livingston family owns and operates a restaurant chain that, despite a full house every night, is losing money.

Adding to the drama is an upcoming marriage that is more of a business proposition than a true love match. The writing won’t knock your socks off, but Lovely keeps the plot moving at a good enough clip to overlook that. -RAKIA CLARK

Carefully painted brown splotches that covered the middle of the model faces, ruffled a few feathers – and, we’re not talking about the ones included in his line.

With the flack TYRA BANKS recieved for painting her America’s Next Top Model contestants in what many identified as blackface, and Vogue Paris had to deal with painting Lara Stone face black in 2009 – you would think BONG would know better.

Just last year, French magazine L’Officiel was harshly scrutinizedfor darkening BEYONCE face, and then stating that the inspiration was “a return to [Beyonce's] African roots.” However what makes BONG’s blackface transgressions worse is that he did not have a actual “black face” modeling his collection.

While we are pretty sure BONG was doing it all in the name of art, however, their is still a cultural sensitivity that exists thanks to the way black face was introduced to us in shows like The Black And White Minstrel Show back in 1958.

With that being said, we are almost positive BONG’s stunt will likely offend many.

What is your take? Are you offended?

Nothing ups an outfit like an accessory– especially a bold necklace.

So in the name of fashion, JUICY teams up with fellow Juicy girl and QuÉrica jewelry designer, Erica Lasan to give away a necklace from her debut Collection, Rox & Chains 1.0.  

THE PERFECT GIFT

(Image Entertainment)

The holidays ring in many things, but for father and husband Michael Harris (RUBEN STUDDARD), it’s a lesson learned. When both Michael and his wife Sandra (GOLDEN BROOKS) parents unexpectedly arrive for Christmas, tensions and chaos arise in what’s supposed to be a joyous celebration.

Despite the friction, Michael ultimately realizes that the greatest gift of all is more than just the piles of boxes under the tree…it’s the giving of oneself that is truly priceless.      - RALPH BRISTOUT