If you didn't watch the last season of "Hawthorne" on TNT,  you definitely missed out on an exciting show. Luckily, the third season will premiere tomorrow and returns with Derek Luke as a new cast member who plays surgeon Mile Bourdet.

We caught up with Luke to get the inside scoop on his new role and find out what it's like to work with the mega-talented Jada Pinkett Smith...

What do women really want in relationships? On TV, we've seen everyone from Carrie Bradshaw to Joan Clayton work themselves into a knot trying to figure this out. On VH1's new romantic comedy series, "Single Ladies" (premiering tonight), starring Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash, among others, Lauren London, who plays the recurring role of Shelly, does her part to answer this question. ESSENCE.com spoke to London about the role, her next moves, and why she enjoys being single - for now...

Kim Burrell is one of the most celebrated female vocalists of our time. Creating a cult classic with her debut Gospel CD Everlasting Life and developing a sound all her own, Burrell has gained legions of fans and the admiration and respect of her peers like Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Diddy, Harry Connick Jr. and countless others. ESSENCE.COM caught up with the jazzy diva to talk about her new slimmer look, the new CD and what else, love!

In 2008, bloggers Panama Jackson and The Champ launched VerySmartBrothas.com, which quickly became one of the Black blogosphere's most popular destinations. Each day, the two wiseguys entertain and enlighten thousands of readers with their musings on men, women, relationships and pop culture. I had the opportunity to sit down with them this week for a brief e-interview, and got a little romantic advice for myself... check it out!

Who said mainstream rappers like Jay-Z, Kanye West and T.I.  are the only ones who can land at the top of the charts and captivate a legion of fans with the quick spit of a hot sixteen! Just take a look at Holy Hip Hop artist Lecrae and you'll quickly realize he's blazing a trail all his own. In just a short time span, this highly sought after Christian rapper, has released 5 critically acclaimed CD's, started his own label Reach Records and revitalized a genre of music that was being ignored...

Multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning Gospel artist, Yolanda Adams is proof that you can have it all without compromising who you are. On the heels of her milestone 50th birthday, Adams is not only happier than she's ever been, but grateful to God that showers of blessings continue to rain down! ESSENCE.com caught up with the talented singer about her latest album, "Becoming," available in stores now, and becoming an independent artist...

Ever wonder how an actor lands a role in a Hollywood blockbuster? If it's a film like "Stomp the Yard," "Notorious" or "Jumping the Broom," then Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd had a little something to do with it. Twinkie, as she is affectionately referred to by peers, has given a face to countless fictitious characters as a casting director over the past 10 years. The New York native says she uses her gut instinct to cast projects, and "Jumping the Broom" was no exception...

Whether you know her as a fly girl from "In Living Color" or Marisa from "Maid in Manhattan" or simply Jenny from the block, Jennifer Lopez has consistently won the hearts of Americans since 1999 with "On the 6." People magazine's Most Beautiful Woman in the World is a mother of twins, devoted wife, actress, singer, and now an "American Idol" judge. This time around she's back to serve up her 7th studio album, "LOVE?" — already in stores. ESSENCE.com caught up with the renaissance woman of the hour to chat about her latest album, finding balance in her hectic life and her role on "Idol..."