Photo: Courtesy of Gayle King

Giving Props
"It's okay to be afraid, because you can't be brave or courageous without fear. The idea of being courageous is that even though you are scared, you just do the right thing anyway."
— Dave Chappelle

I'll say it loud and proud: I love Dave Chappelle. After he announced his Netflix comedy specials, I went to Ohio to interview him for CBS This Morning. One thing I learned: When he abandoned a $50 million contract more than a decade ago, it wasn't because he had a breakdown. Signing the deal felt like giving up creative control—so he walked away. Many call that crazy. Chappelle calls it courage. I call it inspiring.

Photo: Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images.

Joyful Noise
I fell for Lorde in 2013 when I heard her catchy debut, "Royals." My first question: Who is this 16-year-old girl from New Zealand? My second: When can I hear more? Four years later, she's back with her sophomore album, Melodrama. What I love about the indie pop star is her unique voice and haunting lyrics. (In "Liability," she sings, I am a toy that people enjoy.) On June 16, I'll start learning all the words for my summer vacation. Favorite son and daughter, you've been warned!

Photo: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images

Stay Tuned
History is full of famous duos, but one of my favorites is Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre. The bond (and brains) shared by the Interscope Records cofounder and the original N.W.A. member is explored in The Defiant Ones. The four-part HBO documentary, out July 9, reveals the story behind their iconic Beats headphones: When they were approached about a shoe deal, Jimmy said, "Do speakers, not sneakers." And a little rhyme resulted in a billion-dollar business.

Photo: Mary Catherine Sharp

Local Dish
Who do you call when you need a New Orleans restaurant recommendation? Proud Louisianian Harry Connick Jr.! He's how I ended up at Surrey's Cafe and Juice Bar ordering shrimp and grits. That's not my go-to dish, but with Harry's urging, I couldn't resist. It was everything Creole dreams are made of: spicy and creamy with a hit of Southern barbecue flavor. The wait—that day, just over an hour—was completely worth it. Just tell them Harry and Gayle sent you!

Photo: Michele K. Short. Iovine

And...Action
When I was getting divorced, someone told me that husbands come and go, but girlfriends last forever. That piece of wisdom could be the tagline for the new comedy Girls Trip, in theaters July 21. The movie follows four lifelong friends who reunite during a trip to the Essence Festival, where they proceed to drink, flirt, and dance like they're back in college. The cast includes Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Regina Hall, but I bet viewers will want Dina, played by Tiffany Haddish, for their BFF. Just grab your own squad and you've got the perfect ladies' night.

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Published 06/16/2017