Looks like actress Essence Atkins will be getting a bundle of joy under her Christmas tree. The 39-year-old star announced that she is expecting her first child with husband Jamie Mendez on Christmas Day. Essence and Jamie have been married for three years. {Black Celeb Kids}
Former WNBA baller Sheryl Swoopes has been at the center of controversy this week as news of her July engagement to fiancé Chris Unclesho became public. Her engagement to a man has raised more than a few eyebrows because Sheryl came out as a lesbian several years ago. {Huffington Post}
Holly Robinson Peete’s future on the daytime television talk show, The Talk, may be up in the air. CBS executives reportedly have yet to pick up Holly or co-host Leah Remini for the show’s next season. Holly told Hip Hollywood at a red-carpet event this week that while she would love to return to the show, but right now she knows little about the decisions being made. {Hip Hollywood}
Mariah Carey wants to be on the television show, the X Factor, and judge/resident grouch Simon Cowell is doing all he can to make that happen. Mariah reportedly has wanted to be on the show since the beginning but couldn’t take a job as one of the show’s judges because of her recent pregnancy with twins. Simon told People that he has a lot of respect for the new mom both personally and professionally and “You can’t say no to Mariah Carey.” {People}
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly danced the night away at the President’s 50th birthday bash at the White House. First daughters Sasha and Malia joined the festivities, leading the star-studded crowd through a few dances. Jay-Z (sans Beyonce), Chris Rock and wife Malaak, and Stevie Wonder were among the many celebs that stopped by to celebrate.{New York Daily News}
Actress Nicole Ari Parker tweeted this week that she just joined the cast of Vipaka, a psychological thriller starring Forrest Whitaker, Sanaa Lathan, and Anthony Mackie. The film is being shot in New Orleans; no word on what role Nicole will play in the movie. {Shadow and Act}