Ashley and New York: February 2012

2/28/12

Why I Declined a Friend's Invite to Chris Brown's Grammys After Party. What's To Celebrate? Brutality? Immaturity? Lack of Remorse?

A friend had invited me to the Chris Brown Grammy After Party last week, yet I was shocked. Why would I celebrate a person who assaults the divine feminine, and then acts like an arrogant and unapologetic brat who shows no sincere remorse for his actions? The message he sends to young girls and boys is that it's okay for men to be out of touch or control of their emotions and use violence instead of healthy communication. Every interview after the incident Chris Brown has done nothing but deflect blame and belittle the severity of his behavior.

And now his infamous Tweet following his 2012 Grammy win: "HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now! That's the ultimate F**** OFF!" Um, excuse me, but I'm confused. Brown tweeted the word "HATE"? What? People protesting brutal domestic violence means we are actually *against* hate and violence, and for love, more gentleness and peace. So his tweet made no logical sense. It just proved he has not matured or become less violent. Therefore he has not sought redemption, so he does not deserve forgiveness from Rihanna’s fans and the public in my opinion.

I declined the invite and stayed home to watch Whitney Houston movies with my girlfriends.

The two new developments that have everyone talking are:
ONE) The Grammys for some odd reason awarded Brown with a Grammy award
TWO) Rihanna and Brown have released two songs that they have collaborated on together.

First, I can’t for the life of me understand why he received a Grammy after his unacceptable violence. On top of that, I thought some of the other nominees were more deserving. Second, Rihanna may or may not have forgiven Chris Brown, however, many of her female fans have *not* forgiven him. Maybe one day, or maybe never, but definitely not now

2/27/12

Pre-Oscar Party Celebrating African American Talent Honors Debbie Allen, Chris Robinson & Martin Lawerence - Centric's 'Eye On Black' Event

Debbie Allen was honored for her trail blazing work

Chris Robinson was awarded for his contributions to star/brand making and pop culture

Honoree Martin Lawerence (center) with his little daughter, Luke Wilson (left) and Tim Allen (right)

Friday night before the Oscars CENTRIC Network held their 2nd annual The Eye on Black: Salute to Directors which "recognizes influential African Americans who are responsible for shaping the black experience through film." Debbie Allen, Chris Robinson, Haile Gerima and actor Martin Lawrence were given awards. EOB’s Spotlight Directors were Bill Duke and Ava DuVernay

This event is good to have during Awards season because we all know that Black talent many times gets snubbed, or even shut out, at the numerous Awards shows, including, if not especially, the Oscars.

There also were musical performances by Leela James, Goapele, Kenny Lattimore, and Tamar Braxton. Comedic actor Brandon T. Jackson was the MC.

I’ve been back in LA for only three weeks, and this was the event where I saw dozens of old friends or industry acquaintances. It really made me miss LA. Great way to start off Oscar weekend!

Brandon T. Jackson was the host of the show, and was a funny host at that!

(L-R) Film executive Amber Rasberry, Ashley NYC, Super publicist Echo Hattix

Sat at the same dinner table as blogger-diva Necole Bitchie!

with Michael Jai White

with singer Goapele

Honoree Debbie Allen is given award by actresses Nia Long (right) and Kimberly Elise (center)

Actress Kimberly Elise

Oscar After Party @ the Top of Hollywood Hills: Maxim Party w/ Ludacris Concert

with singer Letoya Luckett (former Destiny's Child member, now a solo artist)

(L-R) Amber Rasberry (Tyler Perry Studios), Ashley NYC, Wendy Rose Berry (Warner Brothers)

Sunday night after the Oscars Awards, Maxim magazine held a party on the very top of Hollywood Hills at a lavish mansion. Ludacris gave a concert. It was an interesting party. Only in Los Angeles would Maxim magazine have an Oscars party, LOL. Not necessarily the ideal match when one thinks of branding. But hey, it was fun.

Someone on Facebook asked me today about the event: “Just curious... did he tone down his misogynistic lyrics for the event?”

I answered: “Funny, my friends and I discussed that topic as well last night at the party”

My Facebook friend continued: “And?”

I replied: “Some of his music is fun to dance to, great beats. But little girls need to know that they are precious spirits, not objects.”

Since I do a lot of philanthropy and activism, my FB friend felt the need to make the point that Ludacris’ lyrics are off putting to women, so why did I attend? Well, I attended the party to see me friends and to have fun, period.

Ludacris gets down at the 2am concert!

Happy Buddah by the pool! w/ Hollywwod Life's Russ Weakland

with singer Marz Lovejoy (right)

OK! Magazine's Pre-Oscar Party Hosted by Adrian Grenier

Real Housewives of Bevery Hills! With Housewives Kyle Richards (center) and Taylor Armstrong (right) and Kyle's husband Maurico (left)

With actress Emmanuele Chriqui (Entourage)

OK! Magazine held an Pre-Oscars Party at Greystone Manor (formerly known as Industry) which was hosted by actor Adrian (star of HBO’s Entourage). There was also a performance by The Glee Project.

I hung out for a while with Kyle Richards and Taylor Armstrong, stars of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I have a confession, I do sometimes watch that show, it can be quite entertaining! But seriously, even in reality shows, one can find interest in the relationships, storylines and emotions.