BV Buzz 7/17--News on LaTavia Robinson (formerly of DC)
 

Life Lessons

Former Destiny's Child singer LaTavia Roberson has enjoyed her time away from the limelight. Back in 2000, during the midst of a whirlwind promotional tour for their sophomore album 'The Writing's on the Wall,' Roberson and LeToya Luckett attempted to sever their management agreement with Mathew Knowles. They claimed Beyonce's father favored his daughter and that he was keeping too much of the group's profits.

Roberson and Luckett were then ousted from the group, replaced in their "Say My Name" music video with Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin who lip-synched to their background vocals. The two founding members then sued father and daughter Knowles, as well as group member Kelly Rowland. Both parties slung dirt during a back-and-forth media blitz, but the lawsuits ended up being settled out of court and Roberson and Luckett were said to have made a pretty penny. A non-disclosure agreement prohibits them from discussing the settlement.

Despite claims from Rowland and Knowles that Roberson and Luckett couldn't sing, the two formed a new group called Anjel-right around the same time that Destiny's Child kicked Franklin out of the group and became a tri0. Signed to a production deal with Jagged Edge, the group's failure to launch caused them to disband. Luckett embarked on a solo music career and Roberson decided to retreat and do some soul searching.

After nearly three years of being out of the entertainment industry, Roberson has decided to get back in the game, exploring ventures in theater, fashion, television and of course, music. But there's one thing she definitely wants people to be clear about: "I don't feel pressured to do it! I haven't decided to do the music or anything else just because LeToya is doing it now. But I'm just ready to do it because now it's time," Roberson told me.

I caught up with Roberson recently in Atlanta, where she lives, and she spoke candidly in an exclusive interview about her past, present and what her future holds.

Life after Destiny's Child: "My transition took a long time. My mindset after everything happened was just, 'Wow, I can't believe this happened.' I was really like in a daze. I knew what was going on, but I had no idea, and I didn't know what was going to happen with my life and what direction I was going in. I wished that I wasn't unemployed, but I felt it was something that I had to do for myself to better myself at the time. Dealing with all of the lawsuits and all of those proceedings, it took almost two years for us to get through all of this. That was really a headache, and I was glad when that part was over. That's when I finally started living a little and getting out to see what the real world had to offer."

Regrets about leaving the group: "Yes, the only thing… I don't regret doing what I did, because I would do it again…but where I am right now, I wouldn't have been afraid to go to Beyonce knowing that we had been best friends for like 10 years. I wouldn't have been afraid to go to her and let her know that I had some concerns. I wouldn't have been afraid to go to Mathew regardless of how I thought he was going to respond and regardless of how much I felt like I wasn't going to have a voice. I would have gone to them without fear this time. But I don't regret doing it. I'm older now and I see things could have been worked out. It was just being inexperienced and needing some growth."

On if she got jealous of Destiny's Child's success following the breakup: "Oh no! It's never bothered me. I have all of the Destiny's Child albums. I mean, 'Destiny Fulfilled' is my s-t for real! I got all of Beyonce's albums. I know how corny this sounds, and I know it sounds cheesy because of where Beyonce is right now. But we were very, very close, and I always looked up to Beyonce. I've been a huge fan of hers. I saw her in Atlanta when she was doing 'Fighting Temptations'-and you know how long ago that was-but we embraced each other, and it really felt good. It felt good to see her! But I know that for both of us, it was kind of overwhelming because it had been so long. But I've never been envious. I just saw the 'Déjà Vu' video, and I was like, 'Damnit girl, do your thing!' I have no reason to be envious. I'll be out when the time is right."

On her breakup with Brandon Casey of Jagged Edge: "It's not anything bad. We're still very good friends. I have all the love in the world for him! It's been three years. We see each other often, and we're still friends. I would still like to work with him musically because Brandon and [his twin] Brian Casey are extremely wonderful writers. In the industry, they are very underrated. I've been in the studio recently and heard a lot of their stuff. I'm amazed at how much they've grown in their writing and their production."

What happened to Anjel: "We started recording, but at the end of the day the timing wasn't right. We went our separate ways. People wanted to explore different opportunities and we let bygones be bygones and went our separate ways."

Connection to rapper Paul Wall: "I met Paul Wall at my mother's twin's wedding. He went to my aunt's church and he'd helped her family out with a lot of stuff. This was like 10 years ago. He just kind of fell into our family. People always ask, 'Well, how is he your cousin, and he's white?' Hey, cause he is our family! If I needed anything Paul was always there. He is so dependable. He is our family, a part of our family."

Why she left entertainment for three years: "Over the last few years, I had to step up and move back to Houston to help my family. My grandmother had two strokes, the first in March of 2003. It paralyzed her and she can't walk and can't talk. My grandfather has Alzheimer's, and I just stepped up to help my mom. She's their homecare provider, and I helped her maintain the household. It hasn't been easy…I'm going to cry…but its been a very humbling situation for me. It's made me realize that being out in the spotlight is cool, but there's so much more to life. You never know what's going to happen and you can't take your family for granted. I'm doing my part so that I can be at peace with myself. So when the Lord is ready to take my grandparents, I won't be selfish. I'll be happy, and I'll rejoice. It's been a part of my growth for me to see how precious things have been. I'm so rich, despite not working in the business right now; I'm so rich in so many other ways because of the experience and being able to spend that time with my family."

Why she passed on replacing Kandi Burruss in Xscape: "I was back at home in Houston, and it was during that two-year period of taking care of my family. I wasn't trying to sing at the time at all. Mentally it would not have been good for me. I know all of them in Xscape, so it wasn't personal or anything like that. But it was a time in my life where I thought being in the public eye wouldn't be good for me at all."

On Letoya Luckett's solo comeback: "I'm glad that she came out the way that she did. I'm glad she sounds the way that she does, because there were a lot of things out there about us not being able to sing. She sounds good and looks good. I really couldn't be happier for her. It's not about proving anyone wrong, because it's not about that. But I'm so happy for her, and I hope God continues to bless her journey. We talk every couple of weeks."

On the reality series she's been shooting: "I like to have memories. Everything that I've gone through...it's been a struggle. I really have a serious story to tell. Not just what happened to my grandparents, but there have been so many other challenging things that have happened in my life. I want my fans to know, I am a real person. I've screwed up. I've made mistakes. But I've come back. But I'm becoming a woman now! There are struggles that I still have to this day. I just want people to be able to connect with me, and maybe they'll be able to understand why I've been off the scene for so long, because I guarantee you, its nothing like anybody thinks!"

Like her former Destiny's Child cohorts, Roberson said she wants to flex her business muscles. "I'm trying to be my own entrepreneur," she said. The singer aims to develop a shoe and accessory line and has goals of launching a lingerie line as well. Roberson also plans to spend some time in Los Angeles so that she can further explore her acting chops. She also is in talks about starring in a few theater projects, neither of which she can discuss right now. "They're all just projects where I can be creative," she added.

As far as music is concerned, Roberson is itching to get back in the game. Her plans are to begin working in the studio on some material this fall, and of course her "cousin" is among those with whom she plans to collaborate. "I hope to work with Paul Wall. We had talked about me being featured on one of his songs before," she said. Roberson's also interested in working with Lil' Jon ("So I can record some crunk music"), Timbaland ("I love what he's done with Nelly Furtado"), Kelis ("I'm just feeling 'Bossy,' and I love that track") and T.I. ("Love him, yes, all day!").

Jumped The Gun?

So the folks at Essence magazine responsible for the Essence Music Festival say that my report last week claiming that they've already struck a four-year deal to return to New Orleans was premature. Now, I've already started getting my beads ready for New Orleans-and I advise you do the same-but since I like the Essence crew, I'm running the statement they sent me as a courtesy.

"Several cities are being considered for the location of the 2007 Essence Music Festival, and we will make a formal announcement once the decision has been made," said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications, Inc.

Can't Say Names…

Has a certain syndicated morning radio show pulled the plug on a current R&B star's music because they're tired of her antics? My sources tell me that the radio show has taken a frothy tone with said singer, because she has missed numerous radio interviews and promotional appearances with the show. More so, I'm told the singer's "horrible attitude" during an event the show's parent company held out of the country was "way too much." "She was just awful. Her attitude stinks," said someone associated with the show. Now the program, which airs in 20-plus markets, has fallen out of "love" with the singer and vowed "never" to spin her music again. We all know who this is...


Buzzworthy

I hear that soul crooner Chico Debarge is dating Marvin Gaye's daughter, actress Nona Gaye. Apparently the couple has been quietly dating for a while now. Speaking of Gaye, the actress will reportedly be joining the cast of NBC's 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent.' Actor Courtney B. Vance-husband of Angela Bassett-is apparently exiting the show. "Sorry, but we haven't made any cast announcements yet," said NBC's Tory Brody. She was just being a crafty publicist playing coy so that the Hollywood Reporter could make the announcement this week.

Congratulations are in order for actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Parker Kodjoe. The couple is expecting their second child this October. The two are already parents to a one-year-old baby girl named Sophie Tei Naaki Lee.

R&B singer Syleena Johnson is engaged to former Sacramento Kings guard Kiwane Garris. The couple got engaged two weeks ago and plans to wed next year. Garris now plays basketball in Europe for Climamio of the Italian league. This will be Johnson's second marriage. She was previously married to a former college basketball player, Marcus Vetts, who was also her manager when she released her debut album 'Chapter One: Love, Pain & Forgiveness' in 2000.

'Access Hollywood' host Shaun Robinson got a special gift from 'Rush Hour' comic Chris Tucker. The $20 million per-movie actor sang a hilarious rendition of "Happy Birthday" to Robinson last week, while she and a group of girlfriends celebrated her 43rd birthday at the Hollywood hotspot Koi. If that wasn't enough, when Robinson and her friends were ready to leave and asked for the check, the waiter told them Tucker had picked up the tab.

Speaking of birthday gifts, talk show host turned actress, Rolonda Watts found out on her birthday last week that her new syndicated talk radio pilot called 'Rolonda & Friends' was picked up by Greenstone Media. Greenstone Media specializes in producing FM talk radio for women. If that wasn't enough, Watts was also renewed as the voice of the court series 'Judge Joe Brown.' Watts is one of the names being tossed around as a possible replacement for Star Jones Reynolds on ABC's 'The View.'

'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson is producing the forthcoming CD of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Sam "The Soul Man" Moore. The release, 'Sam Moore: Overnight Sensational,' will bow Aug. 29 on Rhino Records and feature appearances by Fantasia, BeBe Winans, Mariah Carey, Wynonna, Sting, Sheila E., the late Billy Preston and others.

BV Scene

Yes, that was Whitney Houston spotted hanging out with gospel star CeCe Winans in Nashville, Tenn. over the last couple of weeks. In addition to attending services at the Born Again Church, the two were spotted dining at the Cheesecake Factory in Green Hills and at the Pancake Pantry… Orlando Magic forward Grant Hill was spotted shopping at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Fla.… The legendary Diana Ross stopped by the New York set of the HBO film 'Life Support' to have lunch with the cast and crew. The singer's son Evan Ross and daughter Tracee Ellis Ross appear in the HBO film that stars Queen Latifah… Jill Marie Jones shopped for a dress on the third floor of Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in New York City… Rickey Bell of New Edition stopped to chat with 'Confessions of a Video Vixen' author Karrine Steffans in Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

ok, having a "blonde" moment, who is the singer? :confused:

Is this Mariah Carey?

I thought it was Keyshia Cole and her nasty attitude on the Doug Banks Show.... I could be wrong......

What did she do? I didn't know she had a nasty attitude I thought she was just ghetto.

Source: www.chicagotribune.com

Bush to Address NAACP at 97th Gathering

WASHINGTON -- President Bush plans to speak to the NAACP for the first time since he was a candidate, with the White House announcing the appearance days after the chairman of the civil rights group publicly urged him to attend.

The president had declined invitations to the NAACP's annual meeting for five years in a row, and has often been criticized in speeches by the group's leaders. But under new NAACP President Bruce S. Gordon relations have improved.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is holding its 97th annual gathering at a convention center just a mile from the White House.

Presidential spokesman Tony Snow said Bush decided to speak to the group Thursday because of "a moment of opportunity" for the president to tout his civil rights record and mend fences.

"He has an important role to play, not only in making the case for civil rights, but maybe more importantly, the case for unity," Snow said. "Because as long as we have a nation that's in any way divided along racial lines or where politics become a source of division rather one of civil debate and trying to perfect the democracy, that's a problem."

Bush's decision comes in a critical midterm election year, when Republicans fear losing control of Congress and Bush has been working to get more votes for the GOP. Bush received just 11 percent of the black vote in the 2004 election.

In a speech to the convention Sunday, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond blasted the war in Iraq and attacks on voting rights even as he urged Bush to attend the gathering. "This year the convention has come to the president and we hope and pray he is coming to us," Bond said.

Gordon said he was glad Bush is going to speak to the group, especially with renewal of the 1965 Voting Rights Act still before the Senate. "This is a great opportunity for the president to express his commitment for voting rights reauthorization," he said.

Every president for the past several decades has spoken to the group. Until now, Bush had been the exception

Willis Edwards, an NAACP board member from Los Angeles, said Gordon should get credit for Bush's planned visit.

Gordon has had three meetings with Bush in the year he's headed the civil rights group -- compared to one meeting in nine years Bush had with his predecessor, Kweisi Mfume, a former Democratic congressman. "The White House has evidently listened to (Gordon)," Edwards said.

Snow said Bush has a good relationship with Gordon. While they have political disagreements, "it marks an opportunity to have a conversation," he said.

Gordon agreed. "The communications channels between the NAACP and the administration -- I feel they're wide open," he said. "There ought to be a constructive dialogue between the president and the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. This is a good symbol."

But Rep. Diane Watson, a Democrat from California, was more skeptical about Bush's visit.

The president is "reading the polls," she said. "He says he doesn't pay attention to them, but when he was flying high, he didn't come."

There is a history of bad blood between Bush and the NAACP. During the 2000 presidential campaign, the NAACP's National Voter Fund ran a television ad against Bush. It featured the daughter of James Byrd, a black man dragged to death by three white men in a pickup truck, blaming Bush for refusing her pleas for a hate-crime law when he was Texas governor.

Then, just before the 2004 election, the Internal Revenue Service began looking into the NAACP's tax-exempt status after a speech by Bond that was critical of Bush's policies. Political campaigning is prohibited under the NAACP's tax-exempt status, but the Baltimore-based group called the audit a political smear campaign.

She sure does. It must be her, because of the two song references.

Neosoulchild, I KNOW you've heard that song "Oooooohhhh, Luuuuuuuv! Never knew what I was missin', but I knew once we started kissin' I'd fou-uh-ou-oh-und love!" Voice cracking (I guess that's sexy), with Tyrese in the video.

Here's the link to Keyshia Cole on the Doug Banks Show

It's Keysha. It was mentoned in Patti's story last week. And Mimi's been talking to the press a lot lately because she's about to go on tour (which is big in itself because she doen't do them that often).

I see...:rolleyes: Yeah, her comments were kinda short, didn't seem too friendly either. I never got the vibe from her that she was the sharpest tool in the shed so maybe singing, and not talking, should be her main focus.:p I remember seeing her on 106 & Park a few times and I was just like :(

Always being on the defense is not going to get her far in the industry. She needs to learn interviewing skills. Once again she failed to realize that was her opportunity to sell herself. Rumors are going to be there, when they are not talking about you is when you should worry. Then have the nerve to show up at the radio station, on her TV show, looking to tell somebody off and warn them about her family members may come after them. :rolleyes: I knew she didn't have any speaking skills when she accepted some award with attitude and made seem like the people who claimed they struggled to get where they are did not struggle harder than her.

I remember watching her reality tv show on bet and was like huh :confused:; she basically threatened people who were talking about her and said she couldn't be held responsible for what her people in the area did.

I used to like Keisha Cole when she first came out.. but then I started seeing her in interviews and hearing her speak and she turned me completely off. I have a big issue with women who have attitudes... I just watched my sweet little cousin turn into one of those girls with bad attitudes and it burns me up. Keisha is feeling herself.