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Home · News

50 Sizzling Summer Moments

50 Sizzling Summer Moments
By · August 22, 2011October 28, 2020
01
Beyonce Gets ‘Intimate’

Fans in New York City were lucky enough to spend four ‘Intimate’ nights with Beyonce as she performed at the Roseland Ballroom. Tickets for the concert sold out in 22 seconds. That’s how you do it, Bey!

02
Halle Berry Turns 45

Halle Berry celebrated her 45th birthday on the beach with friends and family. Here’s to 45 years of fabulousness!

03
Lisa Wu and Ed Hartwell Split

After five years of marriage, the Wu-Hartwell’s call it quits. We admit, this isn’t the kind of news we like to hear.

04
‘The Help’ Tops the Box Office

After a tepid opening weekend, ‘The Help’ proves it’s the little movie that could by climbing it’s way to number one at the box office in it’s 2nd weekend.

05
Sherri Shepherd Weds Her Dream Guy

Sherri Shepherd walked down the aisle with her dream guy, Lamar Sally in her hometown of Chicago. “Damn this dress is tight!” the comedienne tweeted before the ceremony.

06
President Obama Turns 50

A celeb-studded bash in Chicago (with Jennifer Hudson serenading him), and a BBQ on the front lawn. Celebrating our President’s Bday in style… It just doesn’t get anything better than that.

07
Nicki Minaj Has a Nip Slip

Whoopsie! Nicki Minaj’s girls accidentally made an appearance on ’Good Morning America.’ Luckily, she took it all in stride, and simply pulled up her top.

08
Kelly Rowland Bares it All…Kinda

Like Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland was a good sport when she had a wardrobe malfunction during a performance. “Hope you enjoyed the show and didn’t mind the peekaboo LOL!!! #kanyeshrug #stuffhappens" she later tweeted.

09
Will & Jada Invite Us to Their Palace

Will and Jada had everyone cooing when they opened up the doors to their palatial home.

10
Oprah Becomes CEO

The Queen of all media ups the ante by becoming CEO of OWN, her cable channel.

11
Tyler Perry Negotiates a Cable Channel

Following in Oprah’s lead, it’s announced that Tyler Perry is negotiating to get his own cable channel.

12
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13
Sean Kingston Is Healthy Again

After a near-death jet-ski accident, Sean Kingston recovers beautifully. “The Lord blessed me with a second chance at life and [I’m going to] cherish it,” he tweeted. He presented at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards with Tyra Banks.

14
Jennifer Hudson Sets a Fan Straight

J-Hud admits she “lost her celebrity religion” when she went tit-for-tat with a fan on Twitter recently. Her explanation? “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.

15
Shemar Moore Bares (Almost) All

When those shirtless photos of Shemar Moore strolling on a Miami beach hit the web we nearly lost our minds. When we look at them we think, “oh yes, that’s what summertime is all about!”

16
Beyonce Makes History at Glastonbury

This summer Beyonce became the first Black woman to headline the Glastonbury Festival. Her latest album, “4,” was also certified platinum. A great summer for Bey.

17
Jill Goes to Number 1

Jilly from Philly’s latest album, “Light of the Sun” debuts at number one.

18
Kanye West & Jay-Z ‘Watch the Throne’

This summer, Kanye and Jay-Z brought the heat index to a fever pitch when they dropped ‘Watch the Throne." Fans loved it so much, the album landed at number one, selling over 436,000 copies in it’s first week.

19
Alicia Keys Shows Off Baby Egypt

The world finally caught a glimpse of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’s baby boy Egypt Daoud Dean — and he’s as cute as a button.

20
Fantasia Announces Her Pregnancy

“This child that I am carrying… God has given me this child. And I don’t have to hide it from none of y’all,” said Fantasia. We hear you, girl.

21
Tia & Cory Welcome a Son

This summer Tia Mowry and her hubby Cory Hardrict welcomed a beautiful baby boy. They named him Cree Taylor Hardrict.

22
Tia & Tamera Debut at No. 1

Over 1.5 million people tuned in to watch sisters Tia & Tamera Mowry’s reality show, making it the most-watched series premiere on The Style Network. Congrats, ladies!

23
‘Single Ladies’ Makes a Splash

If you weren’t watching ‘Single Ladies’ this summer, chances are you were talking about something related to it. Kudos to Lisa Raye, Stacey Dash and Charity Shea for an entertaining season. Now, we can’t wait to see how season 2 unfolds.

24
Tami Roman Pummels Meeka Claxton…

Ouch! Tami Roman took drama to epic proportions when she lunged at Meeka Claxton at an Italian nightclub on “Basketball Wives.” Months later, and Meeka says she is suing Tami Roman.

25
And Gears Up for Anger Management

The reality star announces she ready to calm her ways.

26
Shaunie Slams Trashy Reality Shows

The drama on “Basketball Wives” is not what it’s creator, Shaunie O’Neal, had in mind. She recently spoke out against the show, saying she was embarrassed by all the antics. “I hate that it has to be a fight or an argument that gives us 4.2 million viewers,” she said.

27
Eric & Jennifer Williams Throw Drinks

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 lawd!

28
Jay-Z and Beyonce Are Ballin’

Hip hop’s royal couple is also the richest. Mr. and Mrs. Carter were recently named the 2nd Highest-Paid Celebrity Couple of 2011.

29
The 2011 Hoodie Awards

Every summer Steve Harvey shines the light on our community leaders at 9th Annual Hoodie Awards. Everyone deserves a little spotlight.

30
Chante Moore and Kenny Lattimore Split

Another couple we hate to see break up. The lovely Chante Moore and Kenny Lattimore went their separate ways after nine years of marriage. “We both will continue to be devoted parents to our son,” wrote Chante on her Facebook page.

31
Miguel Climbs the Charts

Newcomer Miguel proves he’s got staying power on the charts. His song, “Sure Thing” is currently number 2, while “Quickie” is number 5 on the Billboard charts.

32
Rihanna Lights Up Carnival

Rihanna’s sexy carnival outfit had everyone talking when she returned to her native Barbados and participated in the Kadooment Carnival Parade.

33
Lauryn Hill Welcomed Her 6th Child

L-Boogie welcomed her sixth child and bounced back on stage a few weeks later. How does she do it?

34
Ledisi Gets Ready for Her Biggest Moment

This summer, Ledisi announced her first headlining tour, kicking off on October 20th.

35
New Edition
36
Sade Rocks Our World

Sade rocked our lives with one of the best live shows of the summer. To date, her tour has grossed some $31.4 million. Not bad for someone who hasn’t toured for 10 years.

37
Beyonce Ran the Charts

This summer, the airwaves belonged to Beyonce. Her latest album, “4,” was certified platinum.

38
Monica and Shannon Brown Tie the Knot…Again

What a beautiful wedding? It’s fabulous to see Black love so prominently represented and celebrated in the media.

39
We Met ‘Dem Babies’

Mariah Carey’s 7-week-old daughter, Monroe, is already exhibiting signs of a diva. We loved seeing her signaling, no pictures dahhling ‘.

40
Daniel Gibson Put a Ring on It

Keyshia Cole and Daniel Gibson tied the knot, prompting us to ask if marriage is the new Black.

41
Kelly Rowland Takes over ESSENCE.com

For weeks we’d been singing “Motivation” around the office, so to finally have our girl scatter about our site was ah-mazing!

42
J.Lo and Marc Anthony Divorce

Our hearts were crushed to hear the news. We loved this couple for seven long years and it was tough to see it end.

43
Idris’ Tweets After Dark

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.

44
El DeBarge Returned to the Stage

Months after checking into rehab, El Debarge graced the stage at ESSENCE Music Festival. We have one word for his comeback performance: Fire!

45
Mel B. Works that Baby Bump

We can never get enough of a gorgeous pregnant woman. Mel B. represented for all fab pregnant moms this summer.

46
Kimora, Russell and Djimon Remind Us of the Importance of Family

Russell Simmons and his ex-wife Kimora Lee Simmons and her new hubby Djimon Hounsou keep it all in the family. If only all blended families could get along this well.

47
Kelly Becomes the Face of ‘Empress’

Kelly Rowland’s ah-mazing summer continues as she signs on as the face of Sean John’s latest fragrance, Empress.

48
Patti LaBelle Loves Her Some Ledisi

“You’re one of the ”the best singers I’ve ever heard," a proud Patti LaBelle told Ledisi during the ESSENCE Music Festival.

49
Jay-Z Spends Like a King

Fresh off being crowned hip hop’s cash king, Jay-Z celebrates the release of his latest album, ‘Watch the Throne’ by reportedly spending $250,000 on champagne.

50
Viola Davis Has Her Moment

One of our favorite actresses, Viola Davis, was the toast of the town this summer, thanks to her role in ‘The Help.’ Nice going, Viola! You deserve this! Next up for Viola is her biggest role yet, being a mother of 2011.

51
Eric Benet Ties the Knot

Eric Benet married his girlfriend Manuela Testolini in a small ceremony.

52
Chris Brown Shut Down the ‘Today’ Show

Few expected the 18,000 fans that came out to support Chris Brown at a taping of the ‘Today’ show’s summer concert series. It was the largest the show had ever seen.

53
Alicia Keys’ 10th Anniversary Celebration

“Songs in a Minor” changed our lives in the summer of 2001 and it still had the same affect in 2011. Love Ms. Keys.

54
Kanye West is Amazing at EMF

Kanye West gave the performance of a lifetime at the ESSENCE Music Festival. “It was the over-top-genius Kanye’s fans adore that makes his stage presence so unforgettable,” wrote ESSENCE Editor, Charli Penn.

55
Sean Kingston Is Healthy Again

After a near-death jet-ski accident, Sean Kingston recovers beautifully. “The Lord blessed me with a second chance at life and [I’m going to] cherish it,” he tweeted.

56
Welcome to the Juniverse
57
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58
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59
Fantasia Announces Her Pregnancy
60
Rihanna Sizzles on Stage

Whether performing in France or the US, Rihanna’s sexy dance moves on her summer world tour have everyone talking.

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