By far one of the most talked about moments of 2011 was when Beyonce announced her pregnancy on the red carpet of the MTV Video Music Awards on August 28th, 2011. So huge was the frenzy that her baby bump broke a Twitter record for most tweets per second: 8,868 to be exact, surpassing Osama Bin Laden’s capture and Michael Jackson’s death.
The First Lady and her daughters spent 10 days in South Africa this summer. On their agenda, speaking to youth about leadership, volunteering for HIV/AIDS awareness programs and a historic meeting with none other than former South African president Nelson Mandela.
After 25 years of changing our lives, Oprah ended her show on May 25, 2011. “I won’t say goodbye. I’ll just say, Until we meet again,” she said. By summer’s end we met a new Oprah Winfrey, CEO of her OWN network. It was big year for Ms. Winfrey!
Rumors of Will and Jada’s alleged split nearly shut down the Internet on August 23, 2011, as everyone tweeted about it. “Tell me Abraham and Sarah didn’t make it!” said one anguished ESSENCE staffer. “But Will and Jada?! No!“ Will and Jada later released a statement denying the split.
Thousands gathered at Zuccotti Park in New York City on September 17, 2011 for the first official Occupy Wall Street gathering. By the end of the summer the movement had garnered the support of celebrities like Russell Simmons and Kanye West. Even President Obama voiced his support.
The weather was undoubtedly unpredictable in 2011. A rare earthquake shook the East coast on August 23, sending residents into a panic. A few days later Hurricane Irene was touted as the first major hurricane of 2011. “The impact of this storm will be felt for some time,” said the President.
Sade’s long-awaited comeback tour was such a hit, it took took the number 10 spot on Billboard’s “25 Top Tours of 2011,” selling over 588,000 tickets, grossing a little over $53 million for 59 shows.
Hip hop’s own “Barbie” dominated the charts this year — her debut album was certified platinum in June. She was also crowned Billboard’s ‘Rising Star’ of 2011.
The tennis star was hospitalized in March and underwent emergency treatment for a pulmonary embolism. Luckily Williams was in good health by the summer, even making her into the semifinals at the U.S. Open.
Proud papa Jay-Z was clearly excited watching his wife Beyonce show off her baby bump at the MTV Video Music Awards on August 28. Kanye West was among the thousands who were just excited as Jay.
What a surprise! Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kris Humphries, her husband of 72 days on October 31, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Though many accuse of her of getting married for publicity, Kardashian insists she “married for love.”
Why Tracy, why? The comedian started a firestorm when reports of his homophobic rant flooded the Internet on June 10. Tracy later apologized for saying he would murder his son if he told him he was gay. “I want to apologize to my fans and the gay & lesbian community for my choice of words,” he said in a statement. “I’m not a hateful person.”
April 30, 2011 will be a doubly special day for Mariah and Nick as it’s the date they welcomed twins Monroe and Moroccan Scott. It’s also the day they tied the knot back in 2008. “My wife just gave me the most incredible anniversary gift ever in life! I won’t ever be able to top this!” proud dad Nick Cannon tweeted.
It was a sad day in hip hop when the rap veteran passed away on November 8. His last tweet: “Be inspired.” Celebrities like Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Simth paid their last respects to the rap icon in a private service in New York.
Rihanna added a 20th Top 10 single on Billboard charts to her roster when she released the song “We Found Love” this summer, breaking Madonna’s record for most top singles.
Like all things Kanye West, the rapper’s debut fashion show (shown at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1) was an exclusive star-studded affair. But unlike his music, the fashion line was not a hit.
It’s always fabulous to see Black love so prominently represented and celebrated in the media so we were thrilled when Monica and her hubby Shannon Brown tied the knot on July 9, 2011.
Will and Jada had everyone cooing when they opened up the doors to their palatial home, making for one of the most envy-inducing moments of the year.
Niecy Nash and Tamera Mowry were just among the celebs who walked down the aisle this year. Nash married Jay Tucker on May 28th, while Tamera wed May 19th. Also celebrating their nuptials this year were Monica (who married Shannon Brown) and Keyshia Cole.
Despite its success at the box office this summer, “The Help” just couldn’t shake off criticism. The Association of Black Women Historians released a statement saying the movie — which chronicles the story of African-American maids in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1950′s and 1960s — trivializes the experiences of black domestic workers.” Actress Viola Davis thought the movie would “satisfy the need we have to be seen and heard as Black women.”
The baby stork was generous to Hollywood this year as some of our favorite celeb mommies like Mel B. and Tia Mowry welcomed new additions to their families.
Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee became the third and fourth Black women to win a Nobel Peace Prize for their work in the “non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”
In one of the most publicized cases of the year, Guinea native Nafissatou Diallo accused former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Khan of sexual assault on May 14. The case was later dropped, though Diallo has filed a civil case.
Sweet relief! After months of negotiations, the 149-day NBA lockout ended on November 26. “Showtime1” tweeted Carmelo Anthony. Now let’s get some good ball going.
The King of Pop may be gone but his influence was felt more than ever in 2011. In October nearly 50,000 fans gathered in Wales for the ’Michael Jackson Forever" tribute concert while November saw the release of “Michael Jackson: Immortal,” a remix album of his greatest hits.
Dr. Conrad Murray is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum penalty, on November 29 in the death of Michael Jackson. Katherine Jackson, MJ’s mother, later reveals that she thinks the sentence is too short. “Four years won’t bring my son back,” she told a Los Angeles TV station.
Celebrities like Beyonce, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Patti LaBelle, Madonna, and Halle Berry gathered in Chicago in May for a star-studded double-taping of Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular.
Keyshia Cole and Daniel Gibson tied the knot on May 22, 2011, prompting us to ask if marriage is the new Black.
The British blue-eyed soul singer was found dead in her London home on July 24. She was 27. An autopsy would later reveal that she died of accidental alcohol poisoning. Celebrities remembered Amy on Twitter.
The actress is involved in a heated custody battle with her ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry. In October a Los Angeles judge sided with Berry and turned down Aubry’s plea to have unsupervised visits with his daughter.
The notoriously private rapper/singer welcomed her 6th child, a son, this summer, amid speculation about the child’s paternity. Hill responded by posting a note on Twitter declaring that her long-time partner Rohan Marley couldn’t have left her while she was pregnant because they were no longer together.
All eyes were on Chris Brown in March 2011 after smashing a chair through a window and storming out. ""I’m so over people bringing this past s**t up!" he later tweeted referring to questions about Rihanna. Luckily Brown’s year ended on a positive note, with a successful summer tour to support his album, and three Grammy nominations.
There were many “must-see” faces and productions on the Great White Way this season, including Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson in “The Mountaintop” and Mekhi Phifer and Dule Hill in “Stick Fly.”
T.I. was released from a 10-month prison stint on August 31, only to be sent back a few hours later for arriving at a halfway house in Atlanta in a luxury bus with an entourage. He spent two weeks in prison before being release again on Sept. 29.
The rapper suffered two surprising seizures in two days in October. Fans responded to news of a second seizure by making “PrayforRickRoss” a trending topic on Twitter. Ross would later blame the health scare on lack of sleep.
In one of the most shocking breakups of the year, J.Lo and Marc Anthony announced they were over on July 15.
After over two decades of making his name as a stand-up comic, Steve Harvey announced he would be retiring to focus on his work as a radio personality, game-show host and author.
Newcomer Esperanza Spalding had everyone buzzing when she won the Best New Artist Grammy in February. For most, it was their first introduction to Spalding and her unique flavor and style of music.
J-Hud admits she “lost her celebrity religion” when she went tit-for-tat with a fan on Twitter who suggested the singer’s was because of plastic surgery. J-Hud’s explanation for the heated exchange? “I don’t know, somewhere along the lines, people think they can talk to celebrities any kind of way…we are people, too.” Do not mess with Jen.
The British singer is one of the most talked-about artists of the year. Her accomplishments? Her album “21” sold over 3 million copies, going quadruple-platinum, she was nominated for six Grammys, and Billboard named her the Top Artist of the Year.
Ouch! In what many called a low point in reality TV, ‘Basketball Wives’ star Tami Roman took drama to epic proportions when she lunged at Meeka Claxton at an Italian nightclub on “Basketball Wives.” Months later, and Meeka said she was suing Tami Roman.
We all knew Idris Elba is as sexy as they come, but when he “accidentally” tweeted this steamy hot self-portrait during #TAD (Twitter After Dark) we nearly overheated. Now this is what we call a midsummer night’s dream.
Leila Lopes, 25, becomes the fourth Black woman to win the title on September 13.
After a near-death jet-ski accident in May, Sean Kingston recovers beautifully. “The Lord blessed me with a second chance at life and [I’m going to] cherish it,” he tweeted.
A celeb-studded bash in Chicago in August (with Jennifer Hudson serenading him), and a BBQ on the front lawn. Celebrating our President’s birthday in style… It just doesn’t get anything better than that.
After a string of duds at the box office, Eddie Murphy is reclaiming his fame, starring in ‘Tower Heist’ and signing up to play Marion Barry in a biopic directed by Spike Lee.
Michael Vick has been through the wire. Vick served time for a dog fighting conviction. Voted the Associated Press’s Comeback player of the year in February 2011, Vick is now a quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
And the drama continues. Eric and Jennifer Williams sure did bring the heat on “Basketball Wives” when they decided to throw drinks in each others faces. Jennifer says he’s not the man she married 10 years ago. He says she has a demon inside her. Oh boy!
Newcomer Esperanza Spalding had everyone buzzing when she won the Best New Artist Grammy in February. For most, it was their first introduction to Spalding and her unique flavor and style of music.
Like all things Kanye West, the rapper’s debut fashion line (shown at Paris Fashion Week on Oct. 1st) was an exclusive star-studded affair. But unlike his music, the fashion line was not a hit.
