ALICIA KEYS COVERS MARIE CLAIRE

In the issue, Alicia discusses her relationship with Swizz Beatz, her evolution, and turn as a director and producer.  Alicia Keys flaunted her beauty in the Bahamas while shooting for Marie Claire’s U.K. edition. In the midst of the U.K. leg of her “Set the World on Fire” tour, the “Girl on Fire” graces the magazine’s July cover. 

She shows some skin in a yellow DVF jumpsuit and stuns in an animal-print Gucci gown while posing at a mansion on the beach.

Check out more photos from the summery shoot below and read the full interview in Marie Claire, on newsstands now.

On her initial thoughts about Swizz Beatz: “‘That’s When I Knew’ is definitely an ode to my husband… Honestly I didn’t really like him that much. I thought he was too ostentatious.”

On what Swizz has taught her: “I think we’ve taught each other a lot. He’s taught me to live more fully and I think I’ve taught him to live more deeply.”

On her first impression of Swizz: “Swizz will have the fastest car, the biggest jewelry, the loudest jacket; everything with him is really over the top. I used to see him and think, ‘He is so annoying.’”

On evolving: “You have to speak up. To say, ‘I don’t like that, it’s not cool, don’t do that to me,’ but it’s not easy, especially with people you love. I think getting older has made me evolve in a lot of ways and made me more relaxed about saying how I feel, no matter what.”

 On directing: “I fell in love with directing. Because first of all I didn’t have to get up early for make-up and, second, I’m a very diplomatic individual.”

TAMAR BRAXTON GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY BOY

Congratulation is in order for our favorite Braxton. It’s a boy! Tamar Braxton and her husband, music executive Vincent Herbert, welcomed a son on Thursday.

The 36-year-old singer announced the news on Twitter at the end of the season finale of “Braxton Family Values,” posting a photo of the hospital room with flowers and a giant blue teddy bear.

“#tamartian friends HE’S finally here! #bfv #tamarandvince #theone :-),” the new mom told her fans.

Her older sister Toni was thrilled to have another nephew. “congratulations to my beautiful baby sister!!! I have a new nephew!!!!!! Hehe!!! I’m soooooooo excited!!!!! @TamarBraxtonHer !!!!!!!” said Toni.

 Her mother was overjoyed with the birth of her newest grandchild. “Congratulations to my @TamarBraxtonHer I am so blessed to have another grandbaby Look at GOD!” said Evelyn Braxton.

Her other sister Towanda also shared in the celebration. “The #bfv finale AND @TamarBraxtonHer is a Mommie all in one night!! #epic!!” she wrote.

 There were rumors that Tamar was having a boy. While she never confirmed it, her friend Tiny and sister Toni hinted at the baby’s gender in interviews.

This is the first child for the couple. Tamar announced her pregnancy on “Good Morning America” in March.

MALINDA WILLLIAMS TO CO-HOST NEW TALK SHOW "EXHALE"

Lately everybody is trying to find a "ABC The View" like talk show that works.  With the news of Wendy Williams being renewed for another 3 years and doing new shows all through the summer.

You also have other new talk shows: Kris Jenner, Tamra Braxton & Tamera Mowry, Bethenny Frankel, Queen Latifah and Aresenio Hall both coming this fall are just some of the shows that are coming are way.

We think the market is becoming saturated I mean the guest will be going in one big circle, depending on the format.  And with all that being said now another show is jumping in the arena. 

The View’ style talk show? Well, Magic Johnson’s Aspire Network hopes you are and is ready to unveil ‘Exhale,’ a weekly chat fest starring actress Malinda Williams, former Essence editor Angele Burt-Murray, ‘Awkward Black Girl’ creator Issa Rae, stand-up comedienne Erin Jackson and journalist Rene Syler.

‘Exhale’ will have an eight episode run starting June 27th and will feature guests like A.J. Johnson, Lance Gross and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Aspire is carried by Time Warner and Comcast, so if you have either of these cable providers, do support ‘Exhale.’

RIHANNA TAKES A TOUR OF COCO CHANEL'S APARTMENT IN PARIS

 Clearly we want to be her when we grow up.  Rihanna got to live every fashionista’s dream when she got handed the keys to Coco Chanel’s apartment during her trip to Paris. While dressed in a white Chanel outfit and sunglasses, the blonde singer got a private tour of the late legend’s luxurious home, imitated her iconic poses, and did a mock fitting on her assistant.

“Got the keys to #CoCoChanels apartment!!! Yesterday=Most Legendary day in Paris!!!!” said RiRi, who shared photos from her whirlwind day on Instagram.

 She sat in one of Coco’s chairs with a cigarette in hand, tweeting, “Replicating a #Coco moment.”

Later in the evening, she attended a dinner at the house of designer Azzedine Alaia. “Had dinner with super cute Mr Alaia in his kitchen!! Moments I’ll def share with my kids one day!” she said. All why dipped in Chanel fashion.

See pics from her fashionable day out below.

VIDEO: ASHANTI TALKS NEW ROLE ON " LIFETIME ARMY WIVES & COOKS S'MORES ON "THE CHEW"

Ashanti cooked up a campfire treat when she stopped by ABC’s food talk show “The Chew” on Wednesday. The R&B diva, who can make a mean cherry cheesecake, whipped up peanut butter s’mores with some help from host Carla.

“We should be playing my single right now while we’re cooking because it kinda gets you in the mood,” she said of “Never Should Have.”

Watch Ashanti sprinkle some sweetness in the kitchen.



 And in other Ashanti news, we often wondered what Nelly's old flame was doing and now we know, singer, songwriter, record producer and actress Ashanti is starring in 'Army Wives.' 

She stops by Huffpost live to talk about the challenges and tragedies of the new season.  Ashanti has joined the cast of the Lifetime drama "Army Wives"as the popular series returns for its seventh season

THE VIEW HOST SHERRI SHEPARD FINDS A SURROGATE TO CARRY HER 2ND CHILD

Sherri Shepherd is pregnant...well, sort of. The host of "The View" told the Tom Joyner Morning Show that she and her husband Lamar Sally have found a surrogate to carry their child.

"We found a drama-free uterus," she told the radio hosts. "We found a girl that didn't have any drama in her life. We're putting in our egg and Sal's sperm and we'll let you know how it progresses."

 The talk show diva has been very candid about her struggle with fertility and her search for a surrogate. During an appearance on "The Rachael Ray Show" in October 2012, she opened up to the award-winning daytime TV host by offering incentives to any potential candidates.

"I'll give you a free weave and a Hyundai for a year," she said.

Shepherd, who already has an 8-year-old son, Jeffrey, was determined to have another baby with her second husband, regardless of age--she even offered reality show star Kim Kardashian a shot at being her surrogate.

“I don’t know how we’re going to have this baby because I’m in my forties and I can’t even remember my first son’s name,” she said. “But I’m going to have another baby because I’m feeling good.”

Looks like Sherri and Sal were successful in their search!

TARDY AGAIN..KIM ZOLCIAK PREGNANT WITH HER 5TH CHILD

Bravo’s reality series “Don’t Be Tardy” is about to gain one more cast member. Former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kim Zolciak is expecting her third child with husband and NFL star Kroy Biermann, a new report is claiming Wednesday.

According to In Touch, the 35-year-old reality star revealed her growing belly during a recent family beach vacation. The pregnancy will make it the fifth child for Zolciak, the second in less than one year. Zolciak and Biermann, 27, welcomed their first child as a couple together in 2011, Kroy Jagger Biermann Jr., known as K.J., now 2. Zolciak had her last child, Kash Biermann, nine months ago.

“Kim and Kroy are so excited to be pregnant again,” a source told the magazine. “She’s been trying to keep it quiet. She didn’t realize she’s showing as much as she is. … They didn’t plan it, but they’re thrilled.”

 See the photos of Kim Zolciak’s pregnant beach body here.

The pregnant star already has 16-year-old Brielle Zolciak and 11-year-old Ariana Toce, both with former flames. In Touch reported that Biermann, a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons, is currently in the process of trying to adopt both minors.

On a recent episode of “Don’t Be Tardy” the couple revealed plans to conceive a third child within the next year. Zolciak confessed she wanted to delay her next pregnancy since she was not interested in having three children under the age of 2.5 out of fear of needing vaginal rejuvenation.

The couple also expressed their desire to have a girl after the two boys, the reality star even looking up specific rumored techniques on how to conceive a female on the program. “It’s very easy for me to get pregnant, clearly,” said Zolciak. “We’re married. We can just keep having babies. What’s the big deal?”

TAMAR BRAXTON & TAMERA MOWRY SET TO HOST NEW TALK SHOW ON FOX THIS SUMMER

Fox is spinning the wheel...Tamera Mowry, singer Tamar Braxton, singer-actress Adrienne Bailon, TV personality Jeannie Mai and comedian Loni Love will host a new syndicated talk show that will go up against ASPiRE's Exhale this summer. 

The trial run talker will be hosted on some of the Fox-owned stations as the exact markets and time periods are worked out. A July 8 launch is eyed, but The Real, which is the show's proposed title, is looking to follow in the footsteps of another show, Bethenny.

Fox's new talk show entry is the second program that is being given a try this summer, along with Kris, hosted by Kris Jenner, which premieres July 15.

The daytime talk show slot is already a crowded landscape, as Queen Latifah will also make her return to that arena as well.  

In related news, the new television network from Magic Johnson Enterprises ASPiRE is producing their first talk show, Exhale. The all women panel would include Essence Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray, Actress Malinda Williams, former CBS Anchor Rene Syler, and Actress/writer Issa Rae.

We will keep you all posted as more develops with this project.

VIDEO: KELLY ROWLAND GIVES AN EMOTIONAL INTERVIEW ABOUT BEYONCE

Now that the Dirty laundry is all aired out, Kelly Rowland has been faced with questions regarding her relationship with Beyoncé. During a sit-down interview with “omg! Insider,” an emotional Kelly shot down rumors of a rift between her and B and teared up while speaking about her “sister.”

For years, people have been pitting the Destiny’s Child divas against one another. “I think the people wanted those stories for years and that’s just so sad on them because it’s not like that,” she told Kevin Frazier. 

“It’s so crazy and I just think it’s so sad that we live in a world where people don’t want to see women get along and encourage and empower each other, and that’s what we do for each other.”

Despite the rumors, she and B are closer than ever. “I love my sister and she is so incredibly supportive,” said Kelly as tears rolled down her face. “One of the closest people to me. I love her to death and I love being an aunt.”

The two have endured a lot throughout their careers. “I definitely think it makes friendship stronger and I’m so grateful for her, for Michelle, for Angie, for Solange, for my mama T, for my mother, for being incredible women in my life and always lifting me up,” said Kelly, once again tearing up.

She shared B’s reaction after she played The-Dream-penned song for her. “She looked at me and said, ‘It’s incredible,’ and said how proud she was of me, and then said, ‘I never left,’” said Kelly, whose album Talk a Good Game is due June 18. “It was so true. She never left. I checked out for a minute.”

Kelly also opens up about her abusive relationship and new “X Factor” gig during the full interview, which airs tonight on “omg! Insider.”

WE THOUGHT YOU WERE GONE WITH THE WIND FABULOS? KENYA MOORE GETS EVICTED OUT OF HER RENTED ATL MANSION

Kenya Moore’s landlord sued to have her evicted from her $3,999 a month mansion that she resides in while filming, due to failing to pay her rent in full. According to documents filed in Fulton County, Ga., Kenya failed to make the full rent payment for May — she was $848 short — and also defaulted on the terms and conditions of the lease.

Kenya’s landlord wants his tenant out! The owner of the six-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion in Roswell is seeking rent for June and $2,500 in eviction fees and damages. The sheriff’s department posted the notice on Kenya’s home last Thursday. Kenya might be learning about this on Twitter because according to a source she has not been home to see the notice.

BOO GAZIING: CELEBS OUT: RACHEL ROY, RIHANNIA, ANGELINA JOLIE, IDRIS ELBA, KERRY WASHINGTON & MORE

Rachel Roy and model Jessica Hart attend 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS underwritten by Swarovski at Lincoln Center.

Kerry Washington attends 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York City

Nicole Richie arrives at the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall in New York, New York.

Brooklyn Beckham and Victoria Beckham attends Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2013 at Berkeley Square Gardens in London, England.

Sofia Vergara attends the 2013 CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City.

Elizabeth Olsen (L) and Mary-Kate Olsen attend 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS Underwritten By Swarovski – Red Carpet Arrivals at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who looks like she weighs 15 pounds, attend the “World War Z” premiere in Paris, France.

Idris Elba attends world premiere of World War Z at the Empire Leicester Square in London.

Rihanna took advantage of her day off to go shopping at Chanel and Colette stores and dine at L’avenue in Paris, France.

Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Samuel L. Jackson attend the 7th Annual “Freeing Voices, Changing Lives” Benefit Gala at Tribeca Rooftop in New York City.

Television host Michael Strahan looking relaxed and he’s spotted snacking on Chili Cheese Wheat Thins in New York City.

NAOMI FIRES MODEL FOR GOING OUT WITH HER EX-BILLIONAIRE BOYFRIEND

First he was spotted with an Naomi Campbell look alike in which we previously reported and now she slapped with the lowest blow of all.  The aspiring model seen frolicking with Naomi Campbell's ex-boyfriend has been fired by her management firm for 'unprofessional conduct' and an 'unacceptable work ethic'.  aka tacky b**tch!! 

British supermodel Naomi, 42, mentored Luo Zilin, a former Miss Universe China, on her reality show The Face earlier this year.  Luo, 25 - also known as Zi Lin - is reportedly dating Naomi's former love, Russian billionaire Vladimir Doronin - with the couple seen passionately embracing on the Spanish party island of Ibiza. 

And Neal Hamil, President, MIX Model Management NYC, confirmed that he ended the model's contract last week.

Hopefully Luo hasn’t triggered Campbell’s legendary temper. A source told the Daily Mail, “'It's fair to say that Luo and Vlad met through Naomi, it's really unprofessional of Luo and it's not great behavior on Vlad's behalf."

Page Six exclusively revealed that Campbell and the Russian billionaire put their five-year relationship on a break early last month. Shortly after the split, Doronin was spotted getting cozy on his yacht with bikini babe and Naomi-lookalike, Jazzma Kendrick.