Ciara
It all started last week when a video of the two broke the internet while posing for photos in a hotel suite. Captioned:
"He said pack your bags, we're going to Italy."
The lovebirds rocked shades and matching Versace for the gawds and showed off their usual enviable love.
Russ followed Ciara with:
"5 years of Love as husband & wife, mom & dad, best friends, business partners and more. You leave me speechless. There are no words that could ever describe my love for you. Only Heaven knows. 5 years & Forever to go! Andiamo!"
The rest is in "OK, it's time for a baecation" history as they visited landmarks, ate in the best restaurants, and more.
And as they should, because Venice has become a popular celeb/tourism hotspot.
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Actually, Italy has always been a popular celebrity romance destination, with couples such as Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen recently trading in the fast life and heading to the land of pasta, architecture, and love with bae. And in 2018, Serena Williams famously told her husband she wanted pasta for dinner and he swooped her off to Venice for a few days as well. But now, with outside opening back up, Venice is becoming a hotspot for them hot spots, m'kay?!
So, if you and the boo are looking to Venice for your next baecation, here's what you should check out while there:
The Food
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Italy is known for its endless food contribution to the world. But actually being in Italy, gives Olive Garden a run for its money. With freshly made pastas, and ingredients that will even make granny mad, visiting the various amounts of restaurants, or taking the time to take a cooking class is what baecation dreams are made of. And although pasta and pizza are staples, the reality, however, is that Italy is home to variety of cuisines and people often make the mistake of flocking to touristy eateries serving food that reflects their expectations (such as pasta and pizza) and not what the locals or veneziani really eat.
But Venice's unique lagoon location and proximity to the island gardens of Sant'Erasmo, means that their genuine cuisine consists of some truly flavorful and refined dishes relying heavily on fish and vegetables.
Spend a night out on the town and try local dishes such as the sarde in saor, risotto al nero di seppia, fritole, or the various, various amounts of wine. Bon appetit!
The Canals + Gondola Rides
The gondola is a traditional Venetian rowing boat, similar to a canoe, that's flat-bottomed and narrow in order to fit along with other gondolas into small canals in Venice. The gondola is operated by a gondolier with a rowing oar. In the past, it was used as a major mode of transportation in Venice. These days, however, the gondola ride is primarily a tourist attraction.There is no better way to see many amazing parts of Venice without this gondola ride. Venice historically has been connected by canals, so the only way to see many historical sights or just beautiful architecture is from the water.
Also, riding the gondola gives you a different angle from the water and you get a much better view of many structures. Plan to be serenaded by the gondoliers and see the best of what Venice has to offer.
(Rides are generally 40 minutes and during the day, costs 80 euros. If you want a longer ride, every 20 minutes will cost you $40 extra. After 7 p.m., the gondola rides are slightly more expensive, costing 100 euros for a 40-minute ride).
The Architecture Tours
If you don't appreciate architecture, then Venice may not be the place for you. Venice's architecture is unlike that of anywhere else in the world—owing, of course, to its natural context. Everything is built on stilts in the middle of a lagoon and it's so amazingly popular, that the Venice Biennale of Architecture exhibition, also known as Mostra di Architettura di Venezia (in Italian), is held every other year. Grab bae and explore the history of Venice through its buildings, squares and canals to see the works by Carlo Scarpa and Mario Botta (who shaped much of Venice).
Also, add the Rialto Neighborhood, St. Mark's Square, Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, and Campo Santa Maria Formosa to your to-do list as well.
Enjoy, guys!
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In a press release, EVP of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, Connie Orlando, shared, "As we return LIVE with culture's biggest night, this year's show marks many firsts-including the highest number of performers in 21 years of BET Awards; and viewers can expect several surprise moments. Some of today's hottest talent will join us for our return to LA for an unforgettable night celebrating Black excellence."
This year's theme: The Year of the Black Woman. The stars are aligning to "honor and celebrate the immense cultural impact of Black women." From the ultimate cheerleader Taraji P Henson as the host, to showcasing the magic of superheroes like Stacey Abrams and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Queen Latifah, the motif couldn't be more accurate for this year and every year.
Of course, we are here for any celebration of Black women and we are also here for the lewks! After a year of no glam, this feels like Christmas. Keep reading for some of our favorites from this amazing show of Black excellence.
Taraji P. Henson
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We love a hostess with the mostest and this multi-hyphenate boss came to slay dripping in Versace. The high-slit showing off her gorgeous gams, the cutouts, the colors – it's everything. The platform heels and long, silky-straight hair creates a true Hollywood getup ideal for tonight's show.
As the quintessential girls' girl, Taraji told People that she's so thrilled "that young Black and brown girls have a large selection of successful women to look up to like politician and activist Stacey Abrams and historic Vice President Kamala Harris."
Lonnie Chavis
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Somebody tell Lonnie Chavis that we aren't ready for him to grow up because he isn't Lil Randall anymore. Especially in this Dior fit because he looked fire in the matching silk suit. When he's not making us cry on This is Us, he's apparently showing us Black Boy Joy is so real.
Zendaya
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Leave it to the red carpet slayer, Zendaya, to give us all the BET Awards nostalgia we didn't even know we needed. Wearing vintage 2003 Versace, the style icon paid homage to Beyonce by wearing the same dress she donned at the 2003 BET Awards during her unforgettable "Crazy In Love" performance. Zendaya's stylist, Law Roach, always understands the assignment and tonight was no different.
Giveon
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It's not our Heartbreak Anniversary but we are fawning over Giveon's black on black outfit. God took his time with this Black man and we just want to stop and say thank you father!
Saweetie
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Our unproblematic queen, and bestie, Saweetie pulled up to the awards in the most queenly Dolce & Gabbana gown. Please get into this makeup look also because she is glowing like never before. It may have something to do with the way she minds her business and drinks her water but that's just our theory.
Lil Nas X
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"MONTERO" singer, Lil Nas X, glided down the red carpet in a beautifully structured gown. He is living his Cinderella dream and we are so honored that we get to experience his light.
H.E.R.
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We can always depend on this songbird to serve up a crazy, sexy, cool lewk. Her take on the classic suit matches the star-studded night. Fun fact: H.E.R. is celebrating her birthday today at the BET Awards. What better way to celebrate than at the biggest night for the culture celebrating the amazingness of our Blackness.
Sevyn Streeter
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Aaliyah is definitely smiling down from heaven looking at Sevyn Streeter in this pearl-embellished ensemble. From her body giving what it's supposed to had gave to the matching headscarf, Sevyn was definitely a style stunner on tonight's carpet.
Chloe Bailey
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One thing about the elder half of Chloe x Halle, she's going to break the internet when she leaves the house. Wearing a lace netted frock with leather undergraments, she is proof that Black girls are straight magic. Even her locs perfectly drape her face because they know their place on an angel's face.
Ciara
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Alexandre Vauthier must have sewn this onto CiCi's bawdy because it is perfection. She has always been a vision in her lewks but she has really stepped it up as of late; it's safe to say this is a Ciara stan account.
Tyler, the Creator
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Oh, Tyler. Thanks for being you. We need little Black boys to see your quirkiness and know that it's OK to try different things. We are not a monolith and that's what makes us.
Ashanti
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Baby, baby, baby, baby, babbbbbyyyyyyy... Ashanti always reigns supreme whenever she graces us with her presence. This Julien Macdonald gown exudes whimsy on the Long Island native's melanated skin. The high pony paired with the plunging neckline deserves its own award.
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Recently, the 35-year-old made headlines for getting real about her weight loss journey and losing 30 pounds in three months. Although Raven first broke the news about her 30-pound weight loss last month in an Instagram Live, she went into detail in an exclusive interview with Good Morning America.
"I am low-carb as much as I can be. I do very minimal exercise and I am an avid faster. I make sure I have a minimum of 14-hour fast between dinner and…break-fast."
Throughout the years, weight loss has been a struggle for Raven and she admits to trying most things out there to drop the weight unsuccessfully. Most notably, Raven lost a shocking 70 pounds in 2011. But although news outlets celebrated her, Raven herself isn't proud of that moment.
"The way people were treating me while I was bigger was emotionally damaging so when I lost weight, and I remember the moment when I went on the red carpet, and in my head I was cussing everyone out. I mean, I'm like, 'Wow, now you want to look at me because I'm skinny?' Thanks."
Raven-Symone arrives at the 2011 People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on January 5, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.
Kirby Lee/WireImage
However, the former child star says this time is different. This time, it's the bigger picture for her. In the past, weight loss might have been about attaining a certain size but now Raven's eye is on a different prize: her health.
"I'm not over here trying to be a little twig... I want to make sure that my body is healthy and prepared to deal with old age."
And while a minimum 14-hour fast might seem extreme, Raven assures the interviewer that she has done the research to educate herself and is fasting daily safely. When she opts for longer fasts between meals, Raven says that she drinks a lot of water, electrolytes, and reaches for the bone broth to sustain her.
She also credits her health goal and the support system she has in her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, with helping her stay focused on her journey. All we know is, sis looks damn good and we're excited for her to continue to live her best healthy life!
Raven is not the only star making headlines for their weight loss journeys. Below are four other celebrities staying on top of the health and fitness goals this year so far.
Ciara On Her 30-Pound Weight Loss
Ciara revealed she has lost a total of 39 pounds since starting her WW (formerly Weight Watchers) journey after giving birth to her third child, Win. She captioned a recent Instagram photo:
"Goodbye to those last 10lbs I've been working on these past 5 weeks, Hello to me-pre baby weight! I'm so proud of myself– down 39 pounds on my @ww journey! The @ww app really made the process easy and fun!"
And with how WW is set up, Ciara didn't have to be restrictive about what she ate in order to achieve her results. However, she and hubby do credit Peloton as their "favorite thing" to do together (and we're sure that hobby doesn't hurt). The WW ambassador also shared in a statement:
"Looking back on my journey, I feel so proud and fulfilled. Yes, I had a goal weight in mind, and I lost 39 pounds on WW!! But I have also gained so much more than what I had set to lose. I've enjoyed every step of the process, and loving my curves along the way that my baby gave me! I am honestly feeling stronger than ever and embracing life with my beautiful family and three babies – you can't put a number against that."
Tiffany Haddish On Her 50-Pound Weight Loss
Over the years, Tiffany Haddish has shed an impressive 50 pounds in her overall weight loss transformation. In a recent interview with Extra, she jokingly stated she was trying to "get my high school body back." Her favorite workout of the moment?
"At first, I was doing like 15 minutes running, you know, running on the beach for 15 or 20 minutes, or my Peloton. But then I got these Oculus glasses that changed the game. I'm kind of addicted to the VR and this app called 'Supernatural'…I'll do 20 minutes, or maybe 10 minutes in the morning, and I'm fiending to get back on."
In regards to where she is with her body now, she noted:
"I discovered I'm stronger than what I thought I was. I definitely have more endurance than I thought I have."
Sherri Shepherd On Her 20-Pound Weight Loss
OK, but have y'all seen Sherri Shepherd lately? Sis looks tf goodt! The comedian and current Dish Nation co-host spoke previously about her 46-pound weight loss but also went on another weight loss journey this year. Sherri has lost 20 pounds this year so far. Health is wealth for Sherri and in April, she told PEOPLE:
"At 54, this is best I have ever felt. My goal is to be living a long and active life with my son Jeffrey, who shares the same birthday as me."
Thanks to an active lifestyle and a weight loss program, Healthy Wage, Sherri was able to meet her goals and then some.
"I walked 3 miles, four times a week, did Zumba in my backyard and I started boxing. Now, I roller skate three times a week and I'm also taking pole dancing lessons, and call myself a pole-dancer-like-ish woman!"
Exercise is important but diet is integral. Sherri says she does a combo of intermittent fasting and keto diet.
"I had already been off sugar for two years; so I then made the difficult decision to give up dairy, pork and beef. I love eggs with avocados, onions and peppers and grilled chicken and salads. I love to make kale chips as a snack. I also started cooking my meals, which has made a huge difference because I know exactly what ingredients are in the food I prepare."
LeToya Luckett On Her 30-Pound Weight Loss
LeToya Luckett is on a weight loss journey to lose a total of 50 pounds after giving birth to her second child with her former partner, ex Tommicus Walker. So far, the singer/actress has shed 30 pounds. In addition to an active lifestyle, she also credits Body Complete RX for helping her meet her goals:
"Here we are month 3 update on my weight loss journey with @bodycompleterx 🙌🏽 I'm officially now 30 lbs down and feeling sooooo good y'all!! Their trim system is theee truth! So happy I'm starting to feel like myself again. Only 20 more pounds to go!"
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As if they couldn't possibly get any cuter, Russell Wilson and Ciara are back in the headlines for making our hearts jump in the best way possible. The two have been pretty busy with a new baby, careers, and charity work, but for the past five years, that hasn't stopped them from coming together to talk about their love.
Papa Russ joined Cici on the latest episode of Level Up Radio With Ciara, to give us a glimpse of their marriage in a way that we haven't seen before, by each of them giving five songs that remind each other of journey in love. Baby Future and Sienna even joined the festivities to add their fave songs as a cherry on top.
But it was when Russell says that it was none other than the legendary Stevie Wonder who gave him some of the best advice on their union, where I grabbed my tissues and got all my life, y'all.
First, the video opens with Ciara introducing Russ, and saying "he's the only one that can make me nervous."
Level Up Radio With Ciara/YouTube
Ciara said:
"Even though life with my love is amazing and beautiful, it can also be challenging sometimes. We both have our day job, we have our growing family, we have our businesses and businesses that we do together and plus our important non-profit and charity work that we do through our Why Not Youth Foundation--let me just say that we are definitely busy. But that being said, it's very important to us both that family comes first."
She continued:
"And I have to say he has this effect on me that whenever he comes into a room and I have to do something like this and interview my love, he makes me nervous (laughs). By far, he is the only one that can do this to me. It's a good time and I hope you guys enjoy it. Level Up Radio, baby."
Russ joins her and they began listing out their songs of choice, the first being, "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Level Up Radio With Ciara/YouTube
The two go back and forth listing songs, opening with The Elements. They then tell the story of how the band performed at their wedding and played the classic hit. Ciara explained:
"I think about our wedding, and I think about we were riding in the car in Seattle and we were talking about Earth, Wind, and Fire potentially performing at our wedding, which they ended up doing, and we were singing and jamming out to their whole album. And I also remember at the wedding, dancing and singing to this song while they were singing it."
The duo continue with listing out other songs such as "Always and Forever" by Heatwave, "No Ordinary Love" by Sade, and even some of Ciara's own classics, "Level Up" and "Ride". But it was when Ciara shared "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder that Russell told a story behind hanging with the legend at the White House that stood out most.
"That's a good one, I love Stevie. Ironic story: we were at the White House and Stevie--I'll never forget this--[Stevie} has my arm and he goes, 'Hey Russ, love her the way that God would love her.' I'll never forget that. So that was one of the coolest moments of my lifetime."
Lord, I come to you every time I write about these two...I just...
Sidebar, it's also the way that they look at each other the entire time. Lord, just...please help me...
Level Up Radio With Ciara/YouTube
Any who, the video ends with the two eldest kiddos joining the couple to list their favorite songs, which Sienna goes with Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and Future choosing Chris Brown's "Go Crazy". Great picks, you two!
Watch the full video below:
You may watch/listen to previous and future Level Up Radio episodes on Apple Music.
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