VIDEO DISCUSSION: The Hollywood Black Hairstyling Dilemma

The lack of black hairstylists and those competent in styling black hair in Hollywood has been an ongoing struggle for some of Hollywood’s biggest names gracing the big and small screen.

Actress Viola Davis recently told Ebony magazine: “That has not been my narrative lately of hair because I refuse it. I reject it … I don’t think that people understand our hair … they don’t understand that we’re different, and yet, the same. What I find is, hair is something that a lot of people don’t honor when you do film.”

In rejecting the notion of not having a competent hairstylist on set, Academy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis, says she refuses to work with hairstylists who can’t do black hair.

Black hairstylists are competent in doing all types of hair, so why can’t other hairstylists be as competent?

Is it too much to ask that non-Black hairstylists be competent in styling black hair?

XXXTentacion, a Miami-based rapper who was on the rise to stardom, was murdered on June 18, 2018, leaving behind his pregnant girlfriend, Jenesis Sanchez, as well as his mother, and siblings.

Ms. Sanchez gave birth to the late rapper’s son, Gekyume Onfroy on January 26, 2019.

Earlier this year, Ms. Sanchez requested permission to obtain a DNA sample from XXXTentacion’s mother, Cleopatra Bernard, who is the Administrator of X’s estate. From some reports, initially, XXXTentacion’s mother said yes but then decided to block the DNA sample. This move seemed strange considering that XXXTentacion’s mother was the one who broke the news on her official Instagram account that a grandchild was on the way with a post of an image of a sonogram along with the caption “he left us a final gift.” She also announced the birth of her grandson.

In court filings to support her claim, Ms. Sanchez detailed that she and XXX had “sexual relations during the time that Gekyume was conceived from February 19 through June 18, 2018, the day of the Decedent’s death.”

Ultimately, the judge sided with Ms. Sanchez, giving her the right to obtain a DNA sample, according to The Blast.

Can you write the next chapter?

VIDEO DISCUSSION: The growing number of conservative abortion laws and why are men so quiet? The Beyhive stings Ms. Dionne Warwick

In Episode 144 of What's The 411 recorded on June 4, 2019, the hosts, award-winning journalist, Kizzy Cox, and comedian, Onika McLean, are talking about:

Abortion Rights and the Lack of Male participation

Where are the men who believe that women have the right to full agency over their bodies? Why are they so quiet?

Hollywood Needs Help in the Black Hair Department

The lack of black hairstylists in the entertainment industry has been an ongoing struggle for some of Hollywood’s biggest names gracing the big and small screen. Is it time for Hollywood’s non-Black hairstylists to learn how to style Black Hair? Viola Davis thinks so.

Dionne Warwick got entangled in the web of the Beyhive

Iconic songstress, Dionne Warwick, ran afoul of Beyonce’s most fervent fans, the Beyhive, because of a response she gave during an interview with Essence. The Beyhive thought Ms. Warwick was throwing shade at Beyonce when she stated the following when answering if Beyonce is an icon:

‘It’s wonderful to see how she’s been able to create what and who she wanted to be and who she is.’

‘Now, sustaining and becoming an icon that Gladys Knight, or Patti LaBelle, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, or Sammy Davis Jr. is? I doubt that, I really do. I love her to death, and I can really appreciate her talent. But that status I just mentioned, those four names? [She has] a long road [ahead].’

Is it all a misunderstanding on the part of the Beyhive or, did Ms. Warwick really throw shade at Beyonce?

The Mother of XXXTentacion’s Child Wins Right to DNA Sample

A judge ruled that XXXTentacion’s girlfriend, Jenesis Sanchez, can obtain a sample of the deceased rapper’s DNA. X's mother, Cleopatra Bernard, was a proud grandmother at the time of X’s baby’s birth. However, later she attempted to block Ms. Sanchez from receiving the DNA sample. In the end, the judge sided with Ms. Sanchez and granted the petition.

Reports state Ms. Bernard isn’t too happy. Can you write this script?

Children’s Sharing Etiquette

Most of us grew up with lessons from our parents and teachers about sharing our toys, books, and other childhood possessions with our friends and classmates. However, some psychologists are turning that life lesson upside down, saying that it’s okay for children to not share their possessions.

Is this generation of psychologists going off the rails, or, were we brought up the wrong way?

Porsha, Porsha, Porsha

The Internet is all abuzz over what appears to be a breakup between Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Porsha Williams, and her new beau, Dennis McKinley over what appears to be his cheating with another reality TV star, Sincerely Ward. 

It’s one thing to have a breakup in private, but a public breakup with someone who is the father of your newborn child, that’s rough. However, Porsha’s fans really got amped and seemingly have her back after learning that All About The Tea and Tasha K of Unwine with Tasha K seem to have receipts to prove that Dennis was cheating on Porsha while using her to climb the social ladder.

Stay tuned, after all, it’s reality TV.

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Serena Williams first female athlete on Forbes' list of Richest Self-Made Women; Odd couple AOC and Ted Cruz collaborate on legislation

In this episode of What’s The 411’s Quick Takes, award-winning journalist, Kizzy Cox, and comedian, Onika McLean, are talking about:

Jordyn Woods:

The reality TV personality, Jordyn Woods, seems to be bouncing back very nicely since the Tristan Thompson debacle. Woods is set to guest-star on Season 2 of Freeform’s television series grown-ish. One door closes another one opens.

Lamar Odom

Former NBA basketball player, Lamar Odom, who used to be married to Khloe Kardashian, has had some dark times in his life, and his tell-all book, Darkness to Light is causing an uproar and making Khloe very uncomfortable because he’s telling secrets.

Amazon’s Alexa is a Babysitter?

A recent survey by ASecureLife.com found that one in five parents said they would trust their children with Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa, in their absence.

Magid Magid

Britain’s coolest mayor is now a Member of the European Parliament. Magid Magid, who was born in Somalia and came to Britain at age 5, was the youngest Lord Mayor of Sheffield in Britain.

Unbeknownst to most Americans, Magid is not a fan of Donald Trump and has branded him a “Wasteman.” Magid has also stood in solidarity with Mexicans in his town of Sheffield, and similar to Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in style, Magid is now looking to turn the tide of history in the European Parliament.

The Notorious B.I.G Gets His Street

Biggie, Biggie, Biggie! The Notorious B.I.G., whose birth name is Christopher Wallace, has a huge mural on the side of a building in Brooklyn and now he will finally get a street named after him. St. James Place between Fulton Street and Gates Avenue in the Clinton Hill section of Brooklyn will be named, "Christopher Wallace Way” at a ceremony on June 10.

Jay-Z, the Billionaire

Rapper and entrepreneur, Jay Z, is the first hip-hop artist to make it to billionaire status.

Serena Williams Makes a Forbes List

Congratulations to Serena Williams! Legendary tennis star and new mother, Serena Williams, is the first female athlete on Forbes' list of Richest Self-Made Women

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ted Cruz

Who would have thought that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) would ever agree to work together? Well, Senator Cruz reached out to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter to gauge her interest on co-sponsoring legislation to create a lifetime ban on Members of Congress serving as paid lobbyists once they have left office. When Ocasio-Cortez realized Cruz was serious, she agreed to work with him on the legislation.