Cover Girls: Alicia Keys for Marie Claire UK

This July, Alicia Keys sets the cover of Marie Claire UK on fire, right in time for the summer. Shot earlier this year on the island of the Bahamas by photographer Yutsai, the photos are really breathtaking. Alicia is featured in sophisticated, sexy looks from Gucci, Versace, Diane von Furstenberg and Just Cavalli. In the issue, she opens up about her first impressions of her husband, evolving and directing.

On her overall first impression of Swizz Beatz:

Swizz will have the fastest car, the biggest jewelery, the loudest jacket; everything with him is really over the top. I used to see him and think, “He is so annoying.”

On writing “That’s When I Knew” for 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 she’s learned from her relationship:

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 becoming vocal about her feelings:
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 maintaining balance:
I realize you have to have a balance - you can live life and have more experiences as well as working.

On becoming a director:
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.

Check out the behind-the-scenes video here: http://bcove.me/96p2c38e 

Thoughts on this cover? Do you love it?

- Makisha Timothy

Cover Girls: Alicia Keys for Essence January

Alicia Keys is getting her WHOLE life on the cover of ESSENCE Magazine's January 2013 issue. She's serving a red strapless peplum moment and I'm living.

Related: Alicia Keys Cuts Her Hair

With her fifth studio album officially on the market and a worldwide tour on the horizon, the 14-time Grammy Award-winning artist, AIDS activist, wife and mom talks to ESSENCE about spiritual makeovers—and how she learned to say no in order to create a more balanced approach to her world.

Thoughts on her cover look?

The January issue of ESSENCE hits stands on December 7th. For more on this issue, visit ESSENCE.com.

Fierce or Foolish: Alicia Keys Cuts Her Hair

Singer/songwriter Alicia Keys recently took to her Instagram account flaunting a brand new haircut. She's now sporting the short & sassy look. And it seems she's already had time to style it curly and straight. Love it! Summer is the perfect time for experimentation.

Do you love? Fierce or Foolish?

Fierce or Foolish: Celebs at Alicia Keys' Black Ball

Alicia Keys & husband Swizz Beats

 Clicking around over at TheYBF, I stumbled on these pics of some of my fave celebs all dolled up for Alicia Keys' "Keep A Child Alive Black Ball" at the Hammerstein Ballroom last night. Of course, some of these people get more kudos than others. I have to give props to A. Keys. She looked absolutely stunning in this gray strapless lace number. It grazes over her baby bumb beautifully and the jeweled headpiece is really becoming a signature look for her...

Beyonce showed up to the ball wearing a hot pink sating strapless gown from Andrew GN. I honestly can't say she was the belle of the ball. Though I love the ruching and details on the gown, her hair was all wrong for me. I really wanted her in a slightly messy bun, slicked back with just a few tendrils undone around the neckline. But that's just me...

Jennifer Hudson showed off her banging new body in a black velvet mid-length cocktail dress. Hmm. She's gorgeous, per usual. But this velvet dress is quite un-amazing for me. I wish it were floor length, in a jewel toned color, and I wish she had statement jewelry accompanying it. 

I'm not a fan of this look on Ursh. I don't know about you guys, but Usher looks two kinds of crazy to me in this getup. Not a fan of the pants tucked into the military boot (for a black tie ball nonetheless) and I'm also not a fan of the hair...everywhere. But again, that's just me.

Fierce or Foolish? You decide. Soundoff below!

Fierce or Foolish: Alicia Keys Gets Married in Vera Wang

This weekend, R&B songstress and everyone's favorite "love to hate" producer Swizz Beats got married in Corsica - a small island off the coast of France and Italy. Most important question of the day: What did Alicia wear?! Feast your eyes on her grecian Vera Wang...

I'm loving the grecian effect and the jeweld headpiece is SO Alicia.

Here's the bride with her parents. I think this dress was a perfect fit for the baby bump but still captured her fun and ethereal essence.

I love the one-shoulder action going on here. And the chiffon overlay is definitely a nice touch.

What do you guys think overall? Too early for these two to get married? Was it just because of the upcoming baby? Sound off below!

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Behind The Scenes: Put It In a Love Song

 Beyonce and Alicia Keys were spotted in Brazil shooting the music video for "Put it in a Love Song". The ensembles were ethnic and chic - love the prints. I'm also in love with A.Keys' hair, it's beautiful!

 Reminds me of Boxing Kitten. I'm thinking they probably designed a few of the pieces. Oh yeah, happy Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week everyone!

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Fashion Countdown: American Music Awards 2009

Hey lovelies!

Hope you had a great weekend and I also hope you all tuned into the American Music Awards. It was adequately entertaining, I must say. Here are my Top 10 Best & Worst:

10. WORST (Gasp! Dare I say...) - Rihanna

As much as I love Rih Rih, this was a complete miss for me. Bare bodied underneath a laser cut, voluminous gown...me no likey.

It looks like they pasted stencils on her! Her hair and makeup look FAB though...

9. BEST - J. Lo

Although I wasn't a fan of her live performance, I absolutely LOVED her cocktail dress. I'm not usually giddy over feathers, but this makes me wanna kidnap a goose and make one myself!

8. WORST - Colbie Caillat

Mmk so are you preggers? Because if not, this baby bumb is not allowed. And if so, you did NOT pick the appropriate dress for this event. It looks unfinished no?

7. BEST - Melody Thornton

This pussycat doll is on the money with this dress. Love the sequin detail on it. I wish her shoes were doing a little more for me though...

6. WORST - Paula Abdul

ZZZzzzz...what a bore. Ok the dress is not bad, but it's not doing much either. Slap a statement necklace on that! Thank you...

5. BEST - Keri Hilson

Keri would've been further down the line had her hair and makeup been a little more BAM! Keri, where are your gorgeous blond streaks?? And I need a pop of color on your face when you wear all black...almost there.

4. WORST - Leona Lewis

I'm all for the futuristic cat woman look but Leona looks like she's wearing a cinched garbage bag in this one. Sorry no bueno...cute booties though!

3. BEST - Fergie

When I saw her go up to the accept an award in this dress, I almost fainted. LOVE the studded element. We all know metal & studs are in this season. I would've loved to see this piece on Rihanna...hmmm.

2. WORST - Jermaine Jackson

This has nothing to do with fashion...he's on this list just because of that greasy shape-up...tisk tisk tisk... (more like a Sharpie-up, looks like they used black marker to line that mess)

1. BEST - Alicia Keys

I love the color and the cut of this dress, and the detailing is beautiful! I kind of wish she had long flowing locks with this dress but the "dinner bun" works fine too. Props go out to her stylist during this show because her performance outfits were on point as well!

That's all folks. Hit me up with Fierce or Foolish comments below. I welcome your opinions!!

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