Real Housewives of Atlanta housewife Eva Marcillelooked stunning while attending last night’s BETAwards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California on June 23rd.
The model and America’s Top Model winner is expecting her third child with husband, attorney and former Atlanta mayoral candidate Micheal Sterling.
The actreass wore a signature Michael Costello draped floor length blush colored gown with a deep leg slit with a mesh cut-out top, that showed some of her growing bump.
Sterling looked dapper in a gray suit and a white button down shirt.
“Thank you @michaelcostello for the care free gown and @bcbgmaxazria and @betseyjohnson for the top off,” she captioned an Instagram post.
Very nice!
Our other Bumpwatch alums:
Ciara looked fabulous in draping in a bold deep orange Jean Paul Gaultier mini dress dress with expressive shoulder, Stuart Weitzman shoes, and Anita Ko jewelry.
Also, Cardi B went into the show with the most nominations and walked away with the Best Female Hip Hop artist award besting her rival Cardi B, and newcomers Lizzo (who brought the house down with her performance) and uber talented Megan Thee Stallion.
Earlier in the night, she performed a cameo with her on/off again husband Offset’s song and her newest hit “Press.”
Beyonce won Best Female R&B Artist and Serena Williams won for Athlete of the Year.
Congrats to Vanessa Bryant on the birth of her fourth child, another baby girl.
The wife to NBA star Kobe Bryant shared the news on Friday, June 21 via Instagram though she actually gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday, June 20, US Weeklyreports.
“Our baby girl is here!!!!!!” Vanessa wrote on Friday, June 21, via Instagram. “Capri Kobe Bryant. So thankful for our newest baby blessing.”
The former Los Angeles, Lakers star and his wife announced on New Year’s Day on January 1 that they had another baby on the way with an enthusiastic Instagram reveal.
“Vanessa and I are beyond excited to announce that we are expecting another #mambacita to go along with Natalia, Gianna and Bianca,” the athlete wrote at the time. “New Year, New Baby! Baby Mamba on the Way 2019.”
The couple are parents to daughters 16-year old Natalia Diamante, 13-year old Gianna Maria-Onore and 2-year old Bianka Bella,.
The baby’s middle and last name is the same as dad’s!
It is reminiscent of Serena Williams‘ daughter who shares the same firs and last name as her dad, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, and Teyana Taylor‘s daughter Imani Shumpert Jr. who shares the same first and last name as her dad. Is this a new celebrity trend or what?
Because the MTV Movie and TV Awards are so youth centered, there weren’t that many moms rocking the red carpet.
Of course though, the MTV OGs from The Hills and Laguna BeachAudrina Patridge and newest mom Heidi Montag were there, as was the cast from the network’s Jersey Shore: The Reunion which was up for the “Reality Royalty” award like Jennifer “JWoww” Farley and others.
My fave looks came from Jada Pinkett Smith‘s silver pant suit, Brie Larson‘s Buterfly top and pant ensemble by David Koma and Vanderpump Rules co stars Lala Kent and Stassi Schroeder in a white turtleneck and miniskirt by Magda Butrym who both looked stunning!
Shchroeder’s barely there make up looked great and the feathered boa accented her look perfectly!
Serena Williams was nominated for “Best Real Life Hero” for her work on her short HBO docu-series, Being Serena
JWoww wore a black minidress from Fashion Nova and black and white pumps. Patridge accented her black long split gown with jewels: a Liven Co snake ring, a Zoe Lev “X” ring, and silver clutch. Montag went with a vintage Gucci jumpsuit.
The Hills: New Beginningspremieres on Monday, June 24 on MTV
Victoria Azarenka: Back playing tennis with a smile on her face. photo by Tatiana
When Belarusian tennis ace Victoria Azarenka announced her surprise pregnancy, she feared that she would never play professional tennis again, despite confirming her intentions to return to the court after giving birth. Azarenka was ranked sixth in the WTA world rankings at that point and had just celebrated landing her 20th WTA tour title.
In a recent interview, Azarenka said that when she was forced to cut her 2016 season short, she admitted her initial thought was “oh my god, I’m never going to play tennis again”.
Ending her 2016 campaign was like “ripping off a band aid” to Azarenka. She admitted that she cried down the phone to her mother, but soon realised that she didn’t know what she was crying about.
Azarenka eventually took to motherhood like a duck to water. She said that after giving birth to baby son, Leo, in December 2016, she “felt so much stronger physically” and that her “body finally matured into being a woman”.
She returned to the WTA circuit in June 2017 and went deep into the fourth round at Wimbledon, which was a big achievement considering her nine-month absence.
Azarenka’s decided to return to tennis quickly after giving birth, around the same time as Serena Williams, who recently opened up about her insecurities as a mom, announced her own pregnancy, This brought the WTA’s maternity policies into the spotlight once again.
Last year, Azarenka and Williams, along with Venus Williams, Johanna Konta and several other stars, successfully campaigned for the introduction of improved ranking protection for expectant mothers playing on the circuit.
Prior to the 2019 season, female players had to return from giving birth or injury within three years to be able to utilize a special ranking for eight tour events in a year. However, this year, players returning from childbirth or injury can use their previously held ranking to enter up to 12 tournaments during a three-year period.
They will also not be required to face a seeded player in the first round of a tournament. Azarenka said: “We have the power to change the rules and we have done.” The 29-year-old says that “is what [she] wants [her] legacy to be”.
Azarenka is one of the most competitive players on the WTA tour. Photo by Christian Mesiano
On the court, 2018 marked a solid return to action for Azarenka, who returned inside the top 100 in the WTA world rankings. A semi-final run at the Miami Open was arguably the stand-out moment that underlined her return to form.
However, at Wimbledon, she would reach the mixed doubles final, partnering Scotsman Jamie Murray.
At the beginning of this year, Azarenka finally managed to return to one of her favorite events, the Australian Open, after being forced to pull out of the previous year’s tournament due to her ongoing custody battle.
Although the Belarusian slipped to a disappointing first round loss to Laura Siegemund in Melbourne, Azarenka has since enjoyed greater success both in singles and doubles.
In the former, she battled her way to the final of the WTA Monterrey Open, before having to retire in the second set against defending champ, Garbine Muguruza.
She also bagged some silverware in the doubles, winning in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel hard court tournament with partner, Zheng Saisai.
Hard courts have always been favoured by Azarenka, due largely to her aggressive baseline style. She has two Australian Open titles to her name, but the US Open is the other hard court Grand Slam that has alluded her thus far.]
Age is obviously not on her side, but Williams has proven that this doesn’t have to be an issue. Japanese starlet, Naomi Osaka will be looking to retain her crown after winning her first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year.
There are two Grand Slams to play between now and then. However. Azarenka is yet to reach a final at either the French Open or Wimbledon. Whether she is likely to do so this season is up for debate.
Nevertheless, as of May 2019, Azarenka’s world ranking now stands at 43. Less than three years after announcing her pregnancy, it may have been a long road back towards the world’s top 50, but she is making inroads month by month to get back to her best.
This year’s annual gala to celebrate the opening of a new exhibit at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of the Arts, was more over the top than ever before.
Perhaps because the theme was “Camp”, maybe, celebrities brought extra extravagance and bold and gregarious fashion and antics.
The official theme of the Met’s 2019 was “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and celebrates the newest exhibit which is inspired by Susan Sontag‘s 1964 essay that defines camp as “love of the unnatural: of artifice and exaggeration.”
I think Lady Gaga might have won with her theatrics that included he unraveling and revealing of not one but four looks by designer, with the assistance of a small army of flamboyant but meticulous handlers.
Cardi B’s presentation and actor Billy Porter’s were quite spectacular and so much so, I almost forgot previous mega head turners Rihanna, Beyoncé, Madonna and third-time mom-to-be Blake Lively were conspicuously missing.
My fave looks were by women who are not yet moms (per this is a celebrity pregnancy blog so they focus is on moms)
First was singer and Endgame actress Hailee Steinfield
My second fave was Lupita Nyong’o who is stunning!
And of course, we saw lots of the celebrity moms we have featured on Bellyitch who each brought their total A game to the party and did it up right!
I am proud of myself for having the institution memory to have been able to recognize all of these beautiful moms without reading the caption to see who they are. Woot.
Serena Williams
Kim Kardashian West
Irina Shayk
Kerry Washington
Mindy Kaling
Ciara
Kylie Jenner
Jourdan Dunn
Sienna Miller
Gal Gadot
Lily Aldridge
Jennifer Lopez
Gabrielle Union
Zoe Saldana
Salma Hayek
Regina King
Gwen Stefani
Emily Blunt
Emily Ratjakowski
Alicia Keys
Huma Abedein
Lilly Collins
Gisele Bundchen
La La Anthony
Penelope Cruz
Jennifer Connelly
Kate Hudson
The queen of the Bump watch who started it all Demi Moore
2020 Presidential Candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren is giving me the feels over her recently announced plan to combat maternal mortality and the deplorable way black women in particular are treated when they go to hospitals to give birth in America.
During a an event at Historically Black CollegeTexas Southern University, she said :
“The best studies that I’ve seen put it down to just one thing: prejudice, Doctors and nurses don’t hear African American women’s medical issues the same way as they hear the same things from white women.”
Ok. I’m going to cry! I try not to mix politics with this blog but given this is a public health crisis and an issue that I personally have endured, I’m making an exception.
Warren added to the cheers from the crowd of about 1,700: “I got a plan. I want to talk to the hospitals… in the language they understand: money.”
“The hospitals are just going to get a lump of money, and if they bring down those maternal mortality rates, then they get a bonus, and if they don’t, then they’re going to have money taken away from them,” Warren said. “We’ve got to have change, and we’ve got to have change now.”
A friend of mine recently lost her sister after giving birth. One of her last shares on Facebook had to do with being readmitted to the hospital because the hospital messed up something with her. Now she is gone.
My friend’s sister story, albeit not as extreme, echoes the frustration that even wealthy A-List celebrities like Serena Williams and recently Beyonce Knowlesas shared in her Homecoming Netflix special.
TV Judge Hatchett lost her daughter in law to bad treatment of black mothers and her son is on a campaign to change this all. This is 2019.
This is America, the so-called leading nation of the free world.
My Story
For me, when I told my OB that I wanted to attempt a VBAC, his demeanor and friendliness towards me stopped because he preferred C-Sections he could schedule around his vacation plans.
When I eventually had to succumb to surgery because my son’s heart rate kept dropping with each push, (same thing happened to Beyonce) I was given excessive anesthesia in the operating room, on top of the heavy dosage I had gotten during my epidural. I thought I was going to literally die because the medication suppressed my body cavity so much that I could not breathe… at all…and no one would listen to my whimper for help.
Thankfully, I did not die, but during post-opp when I buzzed for pain medicine, I was not given it despite my repeated buzzing and fell asleep without being given a new dose and awakened to extreme excruciating pain because of the neglect. I had just undergone major surgery and was literally crying.
I gave birth in one of the most poshest and richest hospital in the city and I was certain my treatment there was uncommon of the other guests that include Princesses and children from heads of states of other nations and political elite.
It’s Pandemic
By now we know that the medical profession do no prescribe pain medicine for black patients, black athletes and children because of racist belief that we have a higher threshold for pain.
It’s that time again…for a round up of the most popular blog posts you might have missed. I just sent this to my email newsletter subscribers and figured I’d share it here as well!
You can skip to the category that apply or resonate with you. No pressure. Click. Read and if you like it, share! Thanks!
I think it’s interesting that there was a survey of parents who give their children these names regret them after a celebrity names her kid that too! Doh!
Although the concept of Baby Showers is pretty foreign to the British, insiders report that Kate Middleton is planning a version of a shower for her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle.
The baby is due in late April, a few days before their first wedding anniversary, and the Duchess of Cambridge will be hosting the intimate event with family and close staff, likely in her home at Kensington Palace.
Even though the royal couple previously said they were keeping the sex of the baby a surprise, according to recent reports, Meghan is apparently expecting a boy.
This would be the Duchess of Sussex’s second shower because he had a nice intimate one thrown by her American celeb friends Serena Williams, Amal Clooney and her Suits co-star last month.
Congrats to all of the nominees and winners of last night’s 91st annual Academy Awards held last night at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Special recognition goes to our frequent featured mama Regina King who walked away with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the James Baldwin adapted movie “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
She stunned in a white custom Oscar De La Renta high split strapless gown with loose ringlets and parted hair accented with Chopard jewels.
As usual, I spotted several of our Bellyitch Bumpwatch alums on the Red Carpet during arrivals at the opulent affair.
Spotted were: Emily Deschanel; Jennifer Lopez in a mirrored high neck Tom Ford fitted gown; Jennifer Hudson in a ruffled burnt sienna Elie Saab gown; formal model Molly Sims also in a silver gown but with sequins and a little more intricate than JLo’s with side cut outs and a long train by Zuhair Murad; Serena Williams in black with red strapless Armani Prive gown; and Tina Fey in a totally gorgeous strapless Vera Wang gown.
Also, Charlize Theron stunning in Dior Haute Couture, Kristin Cavallari; Amy Poehler looking smart in a tailored and crisp Alberta Ferretti suit; and Maya Rudolph floral regal by Giambattista Valli
Also, Kelly Ripa in Cristian Siriano and Helen Lasichanh.
My faves were all the moms in their 40s and looking fabulous:
This week, I was in awe to see all of the British and American press making a big deal over the fact that Serena Williams, Amal Clooney and Gayle King threw Meghan Markle a baby shower which some are estimating cost close to a $500,000, when you consider the security and private jet to NYC from the UK and back.
My thoughts: first, no one knows if that estimated number of the cost is entirely accurate.
Second: So what?
I’ve been covering celebrity baby showers for as long as this blog has existed, which is over 10 years, and I do not recall anytime that news and gossip outlets discussed the cost of a celebrity baby shower.
Granted, I do understand that baby showers are uncommon among the British, so any shower at any cost may seem exorbitant. However, Kensington Palace had to come out and state that Markle paid for the cost of travel and her stay herself.
They may have pointed out how lavish they were but none reported on the cost, to my recollection.
Let’s take a look at other celeb showers because, what does one expect from people who are rich and/or wealthy and have resources and funds to throw lavish affairs?
For example, Cardi B‘s shower featured a 16-foot topiary floral wall, room entrance ways that resembled a 6-car subway train, and several rooms draped in 26,000 pink and white flowers.
Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant‘s shower featured a floral wall.
In June 2016, Nicky Hilton had a baby shower at The Towers at the top of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City.
Honestly, I think this young woman is getting more criticism than her predecessor non-royal wife, Duchess Catherine, Kate Middleton.
It reminds me of the criticism Michelle Obama received to the cost of her clothing, hullabaloo which was not similarly made over the cost of Barabara or Nancy Bush or Hillary Clinton‘s First Lady clothing prior.
