The stars came out last night in NYC to help launch the new GUESS flagship boutique. Among those in attendance for the party — Gossip Girl’s Michelle Trachtenberg, Real Housewives‘ Kelly Bensimon, model Selita Ebanks, socialite Lydia Hearst and Kanye West’s most recent ex, Amber Rose.
Posts Tagged ‘Selita Ebanks’
PHOTOS: Guess Who Showed Up for GUESS?
July 23rd, 2009 / Author: Chris Morran
Selita Ebanks: I Was A Foster Kid
April 17th, 2009
Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The Cayman Islands native, 26, grew up in foster care.
“I was, at one time in my life, in the system – in the foster care program,” the beauty says. “Growing up, it was organizations and churches, and other things such as the New Yorkers For Children program that helped mold and grow and makes me as a woman today appreciate everything.”
She adds, “Just because that’s part of your life doesn’t mean it has to create the person that you’ll become.”
What did she appreciate most once she found a home that included seven brothers?
“The foundation of everything that my mother instilled in us was about family and having each other’s back and supporting each other through everything,” she tells me. “And my brothers, they definitely have my back.”
That family was certainly there for her in 2007 when the stunner broke off her engagement to Nick Cannon, 28. He celebrates his year-long marriage to Mariah Carey, 40, on April 30.
“I’m so happy,” Selita says. “Love is a beautiful thing. I wish everybody some love.”
She adds, “If I saw him, I’d give him a high-five. Yeah! Mariah’s well. I’m a huge fan of hers. I’ve been singing her as long as I can remember.”
Having been previously engaged has changed her outlook on dating, and since the relationship with Nick ended, she has been linked to New York Giants player Osi Umenyiora and Kanye West.
“I learned a lot about what I need and what matters to me as a woman,” Selita tells me. “It’s not about rushing. It’s about taking your time. Marriage is a ring and a piece of paper at the end of the day. As long as you have that foundation and that family and strength.”
Having grown up in a family with seven brothers, she would certainly watch an Octomom reality show.
“She needs the ratings to support all those babies, so absolutely,” Selita says. “I would Tivo it.”
DVR This: Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and Look-A-Like
December 3rd, 2008
When you tune in for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – airing tonight at 10 p.m. on CBS – don’t beat yourself up for eating too much on Thanksgiving as you watch the perfectly bodied Angels tear up the catwalk, scantily clad in too-cute undies.
First off, the show was shot before turkey day. And as model Selita Ebanks declared, "I’m not planning to stay thin for the holidays!
"I’m completely indulging in my Caribbean roots and I’m going to eat everything that has to do with coconut milk, curry, rice and peas and all of that," she confessed at the opening of the new ginormous Victoria’s Secret Lexington, on New York City’s east side. Time for the lingerie gods to put out a post-holiday stretch collection!
Yes, Virginia, even supermodels have to work out.
New model mom Alessandra Ambrosio revealed her secret on getting back in runway form just three months after giving birth to daughter daughter Anja Louise.
"I started waking up in the morning, working out and eating healthy," she admitted.
"I was using the elliptical trainer and I have a personal trainer from Brazil. We do a lot of crunches and butt exercises. He does the Brazilian Butt Lift at Equinox gyms. It’s really amazing, but it’s really hard. So I do an hour of that and 45 minutes of cardio."
See, being a supermodel is tougher than you think.
But turning into Brad Pitt isn’t that difficult. Catch a spot-on transformation on Look-A-Like tonight at 8 p.m. on the TV Guide channel.
Stars Share Thanksgiving Memories, Traditions
November 27th, 2008
Beyonce’s mom Tina Knowles is in the kitchen cooking up a big meal this Thanksgiving. She tells me her specialty is Cajun turkey, and the “whole family will be eating dinner together.”
So, why is Beyonce a great daughter? “She’s a great person first. She’s kind and thoughtful.”
Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley will spend the day with brother Josh Kelley and his wife Katherine Heigl – in addition to about sixty members of his family and friends.
“We’ve got a lot of turkeys and hams, and I’m always the one out there playing basketball and baseball with all the little nephews and nieces and all the little kids,” Charles tells me.
What’s Katherine like as a sister-in-law? “She’s great! She’s awesome. It’ll be fun.”
Ne-Yo is another star heading back home. “My mom calls me and says ‘Ne-Yo, I know you’ve been busy doing this all year, but you are coming home for Thanksgiving, right?’” he says. “And there is no other answer but yes. Me and my mom are tight.”
And it’s all about family for Aubrey O’Day. “Spending time with my grandparents was the biggest tradition before I started working in the industry,” the Danity Kane singer tells me. “I rarely get to see them. Grandparents are so wise, and they have so many interesting things to instill in you. Most people go to Thanksgiving and they don’t really talk to their grandparents. They’re like ‘oh, yeah, they’re old, let them sit at the table, walk them over when food comes.’ But if you actually sit down and ask your grandparents about their life – I asked my grandma about being in love, the first time she kissed a guy – things that you don’t think to ask your grandparents. But the way that they see life and values and ideals and the things that they can instill in you are valuable.”
This year my sister Stephanie will be like Miley Cyrus, who often celebrates her birthday on Thanksgiving. Steph turns 23 on her Thanksgiving birthday today.
Miley says, “I love it because then you’re able to have dinner with your family on your birthday. When some people don’t get to come together for their birthday, I get the opportunity to never miss all the family being there, so it’s really great. And I get better food, better cake because we all have to share, so it’s good.”
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles can’t wait to taste green bean casserole this holiday, but Kerry Washington is all about the turkey. “Turkey really does make you sleepy,” she tells me. “It has that chemical in it. What’s better than eating a big meal and then falling asleep on the couch? It’s fantastic. That’s the best thing about Thanksgiving – everybody’s dazed and confused after their meal.” But don’t expect Kerry to slave away in the kitchen. “When it comes to cooking, I make an excellent reservation.”
Milla Jovovich, however, will be working overtime.
“I cook turkey and stuffing, but I make these amazing candied yams and it really sucks because I’m training right now and trying to get back into shape,” Milla says. “My trainer’s like ‘OK, one day you can do Thanksgiving.’ I’m like ‘what about leftovers?’”
Marcia Gay Harden and family – who have become vegetarians – may enjoy an organic turkey. “I never want to be strict – I never want to be one of those people who go ‘oh my God, I’m eating a turkey.’ I don’t believe that. I’ve eaten it before. I wear leather shoes. I don’t want to be a hypocrite.”
What is Rihanna most thankful for this year? “I’m thankful to be alive and have my family and my friends around me,” the Umbrella singer tells me. “Being able to do stuff that I love to do and live my dream, and live it in a way I didn’t expect.”
30 Rock star Katrina Bowden is traveling. “My family and I always go down to visit my cousins in Tennessee,” she tells me. “We always drive thirteen hours, and it’s quite long.”
Justine Bateman’s favorite part of Thanksgiving is eating dinner, but that’s not all. “I like the decorations for holidays as much as I like the holidays themselves,” she laughs.
Thanksgiving is on top of the list for Darius Rucker.
“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because the eating – I love everything about it,” the Hootie and the Blowfish singer tells me. “Down South, we have macaroni and cheese and the stuffing and turkey and collard greens, okra soup and all the stuff that I love. I love Thanksgiving. Then you get three football games. What a great day! Thanksgiving’s a great day.”
For Desperate Housewives star Dana Delany, it’s a time for pet peeves. “One that drives me crazy is that my brother seems to get all the leftovers. He grabs them first!”
Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks will take part in the typical tradition. “Every Thanksgiving Day my mother decorates the house for Christmas – ever since I was a little girl it was like ‘get ready for Christmas.’ Christmas is the important holiday.”
Who’s getting up early for the Black Friday sales? That’s always a big deal in our home, but I’m always the late sleeper.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Chloe Sevigny, Selita Ebanks Do ACE Awards
November 13th, 2008
Fashionistas make their way to NYC’s Cipriani 42nd Street for the ACE Awards, sponsored by the Accessories Council.
Helena Christensen and Stella McCartney swan in, and here’s Chloe Sevigny, who gives her tips for looking good at parties.
“Being confident,” she tells me. “Wearing a nice heel that you’re going to be comfortable in.”
Hey Chrissie Hynde, what do you think now when you go back to Ohio? After all, the Akron native is known for the line “I went back to Ohio but my city was gone” from her 1982 ditty My City Was Gone. “What does that have to do with this?” she fumes. Um, I’m writing a story about the event? “Oh, I don’t know what you mean,” she says, clearly flustered, as she walks away.
Whew! I’m from Ohio – Akron even – and I would say I’m upset that they closed the Ponderosa where I waitressed and buffeted during high school and college. Also holidays aren’t the same since they took away Archie The Snowman from Chapel Hill Mall, where I elfed during high school and college.
Not Chrissie.
Onto the next one! Desperate Housewives star Dana Delany tells me earrings make or break an outfit. “I never leave the house without earrings. I feel naked without my earrings. I like simple. I tend to wear the same earrings for years, so right now I’ve been wearing a pair of Cathy Waterman earrings for probably about ten years.”
And how does Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks look five pounds slimmer?
“Well, I cut my hair,” she tells me. “That definitely helps. I think it’s all about wearing things that compliment your body, and it’s always about a great heel. A great heel, a great shoe extends the leg and makes you seem longer and leaner. Or a belt. You cinch the waist. It’s all about that.”
And how does Tina Knowles, mom of Beyonce, dress up an outfit?
“Great accessories – some nice, sparkly earrings, beautiful bracelet,” she tells me. “Just accessories I would say, and your basic black dress that you can dress up with beautiful accessories.” She gives a shoutout to Lorraine Schwartz, whom she is presenting an award tonight. “She is the most amazing jewelry designer. It’s so unique. Every piece is made with so much artistry. I mean, it’s like art.”
Spotted!
August 11th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff
• Audrina Patridge having an afternoon nap curled up in a DKNY duvet at the DKNY JEANS Beach House before using Nivea Smooth Sensation to soak up some sun in Malibu.
• Vanessa Carlton spotted in NYC on a shopping spree at the Only Hearts Boutique on Mott St. Our spies tell us that the Thousand Miles singer spent close to $1,000 and picked up an Only Hearts So Fine long sundress in black.
• Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland sipping water and having dinner at Blue Door at Delano, enjoying the music during the Tai Entertainment party.
• Brett Favre, sporting a Tommy Hilfiger graphic tee in place of the familiar Packers jersey, at the press conference announcing he’d be leaving Green Bay for the Jets of New York.
• Gossip Girl guest star and socialite Tinsley Mortimer chatting about the delicious hor dourves with jewelry designer RJ Graziano at the Accessories Councils party for the 100th Anniversary of Accessories Magazine.
• Supermodel Selita Ebanks sharing a duck salad with her father at Buddakan.
Selita & Kanye: Are They Or Aren’t They?
June 3rd, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff
Kanye West and Selita Ebanks have been causing quite a stir after they were spotted eating and partying together Saturday night in NYC’s trendy Meatpacking district, sparking rumors of a romance and reports of some rather public smooching.
However, a friend of the Victoria’s Secret model tells OK! that, while the two did indeed dine together at STK, it wasn’t exactly an intimate, candlelit affair. “Selita had dinner with a big group of people including her father, Serena Williams and Kanye," explains the pal.
In fact, says the friend, tennis star Serena is the common link between Selita and Kanye as she is good friends with both of them.
After dinner, the group headed en masse to nearby hotspot Tenjune. But at the end of the night, the friend tells OK! that no steamy hook-up happened: “Selita left with her dad, not Kanye.”
So it seems that Selita, who was recently dating NY Giants’ Osi Umenyiora and is the former fiancée of Nick Cannon, and Kanye will live the good life as friends… For now.
A rep for Selita declined comment on the model’s personal life.
Family Member Confirms: Mariah & Nick Married!
May 1st, 2008
Mariah Carey’s marriage to Nick Cannon is apparently the real deal!
E! TV landed what looks like an official confirmation late Thursday night from Linda Cannon, reportedly a member of Nick’s family, who says she received a phone call from the 27-year-old funnyman announcing the happy news.
"Yes, we know. He called and told us all about it," Linda tells E!. "We are happy for him. If that is what he wants then we are happy for him."
As for the specifics, including whether or not the wedding took place in the Bahamas, (as previously reported) Mrs. Cannon declined to elaborate. "I’m not going to give you any details, but we are happy for him," she said.
Earlier Thursday, anonymous sources told Latina.com that 39-year-old Carey had indeed wed her much younger beau in a secret ceremony at an undisclosed island location.
This is the second time around for Mariah, who was previously married to music mogul Tommy Mottola. Nick was previously engaged to Victoria’s Secret model, Selita Ebanks.
A spokesperson for Selita tells OK!, "She has no comment other than she wishes them well."
How Nick Cannon Overcame a Broken Engagement
April 12th, 2008
Nick Cannon’s heart is healing after his five-month engagement to Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks ended in October.
The actor, 27, who previously dated Christina Milian, gives me his best advice for getting over a breakup.
“Just go out,” he says. “Be out. Friends always help with that.”
These days, the MTV star is single. “I love being single. Single is the best. No pressure.”
Will he revisit the ex-files? Not yet.
His former flame, Kim Kardashian, has done great things with her E! reality show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
“I think it’s the funniest show ever. I love Khloe. She makes me laugh all the time.”
Would he date her?
“I couldn’t do that! Sisters? Come on. I have a little more couth than that.”
One thing that cramped his style recently is a bad haircut.
“Somebody gave me a bald spot a few weeks ago. It wasn’t good. I had to shave it, but I’m good now.”
