Steel Magnolias Blooms Again

Nearly 23 years after its release on the big screen, the iconic Southern ‘divabetic’ drama “Steel Magnolias” is getting a made-for-TV reboot with Queen Latifah and an all-black cast.

GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS!

Latifah, who also serves as an executive producer on the film, which airs Sunday on Lifetime, steps into the role of M’Lynn, the matriarch made famous by Sally Field.

“I wasn’t intimidated at all,” Latifah told “Good Morning America” earlier this week about remaking the tearjerker and fan favorite. “I was really excited, especially when we got the cast that we did.”

“It’s such a great story about friendship and family and relationships and being with each other through the ups and downs,” she said.

Joining Latifah on screen are Alfre Woodard as the cranky Ouiser (Shirley MacLaine’s role), Phylicia Rashad as her sidekick Clairee (Olympia Dukakis’ role) and Rashad’s real-life daughter Condola Rashad as M’Lynn’s daughter Shelby, the role originated by Julia Roberts. Jill Scott plays Truvy (Dolly Parton’s role), the owner of the salon where the women come together, and her assistant Annelle, originally played by Daryl Hannah, is portrayed by “Pariah” star Adepero Oduye.

“You’re in awe,” Latifah told GMA about working with the others. “The energy on the set was just great.”

Register now for ’Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’ - our largest free diabetes outreach event of the year promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA.

‘Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’, mixes free beauty and fashion services, a Plus Size fashion show and music with interactive diabetes education in a fun, comfortable setting to broaden the appeal of diabetes educational outreach for women. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM

Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107

FREE ADMISSION

Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW

HEALTHY DINING OUT ADVICE Tune in to Divabetic’s Free monthly Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift featuring expert advice on dining out, grocery shopping and a frank, fashion forward discussion on diabulimia, Diabetes Numerology self-care games along with ‘diagnosis to DIVA’ stories 
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva

Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of  Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s Facebook’s Group and Fan pages.

Kelly Clarkson’s (What Doesn’t Kill You) Stronger Steals The Show

Last night, I heard this new Kelly Clarkson’s song for the first time  on ‘VH1’s Divas Celebrates Soul’ music special (hello, were Divabetic – it was required watching!!)

In our opinion, Kelly stole the show with her performance of “(What Doesn’t Kill You) Stronger,” I think she has another smash just waiting to explode.with the second single off the album, Stronger. The story is essentially a giant “It Gets Better/Can’t Hold Us Down” dance-off the world over. Everybody is getting stronger all over the place — and whether it’s an exercise class, the beach, or Times Square, it’s the perfect place to let loose and move on.

 

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the rest of the ‘VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul’ show. Although Mary J. Blige, Sharon Jones, Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Marsha Ambrosius, Mavis Staples, Martha Reeves, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Florence Welch, Estelle, Jessie J, Wanda Jackson, and Jill Scott performed, too many of our all-time favorite Soul Divas were missing such as Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross or Aretha Franklin. The next time,  someone’s producing a music special showcasing sounds of Memphis, Detroit, Philadelphia, London, and Chicago – please call Aretha!!!