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Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of July 17th, 2006

"I have finally found my soulmate! He’s my better half! I finally got it right!" Janet Jackson is declaring her love for Boyfriend-Producer Jermaine Dupri. After 5 years, wedding bells are in the air and a September date has been set. Word has it Janet and Jermaine may tie the knot on the same day her new album, 20 Years Old, is released (September 26th). Dupri is the executive producer on the project, and Janet’s big career comeback is riding on it. One of the highlights on the LP is a scheduled duet with Mariah Carey.

The life story of Rick James is coming to film. The documentary, I’m Rick James, is being produced by Rick’s daughter Ty. The documentary is a no holds-barred look at his wild life, including the infamous sex parties and his battles with his record company. During the 80’s, it was all about Drugs, Sex, Funk & Roll. Rick James died in 2004, and he was working on his life story at the time of his death. A lot of Hollywood big wigs are worried about being exposed via this documentary. A who’s who of Hollywood used to frequent his parties.

Look for the end of the musical group Outkast after they release their latest project. Tensions are high between Andre “3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton. Back in the 90’s, they formed one of the most popular hip hop duos of all time, but Andre 3000 is ready to be a movie star and he wants out of the group. Next month, their highly anticipated movie musical, Idlewood, opens in theatres on the 25th. The movie is about southern musicians and life in a speakeasy during the 1930’s. Terrence Howard, Ving Rhames, Cicely Tyson, Patti LaBelle, Macy Gray and Ben Vereen also star. A soundtrack is also coming out. Andre 3000 is so busy working on his acting career, he refuses to tour in support of the album. He even refused to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to promote the new project. Needless to say Antwan (Big Boi) is upset. Andre is ruining his career by turning his back on Outkast. Antwan is now going to have to develop a career without him.

Actress Nia Long is being very quiet about a recent altercation involving her, her new boyfriend and her baby daddy, Massai Dorsey. Long has a five year-old son with Dorsey and a few days ago, there was an incident at the Grove Shopping Center in Los Angeles. Word has it Dorsey became upset when he spotted Nia with her new man. He confronted them, and they proceeded to kick his butt. When it was all over, Dorsey was left bleeding and lying on the ground. Nia is best known for her roles in Big Momma’s House, The Best Man and Boyz in the Hood.

All that Glitters doesn’t turn to Gold, just ask former Olympic Darling Marion Jones. At the height of her superstardom, she graced the covers of cereal boxes and Vogue magazine. She won numerous gold medals, and she was hailed as the fastest woman in the world. What a difference a few years make. Marion is now on the road to becoming a disgraced former athlete. It was never proven, but Marion was accused of taking steroids. Her first husband, C.J. Hunter, was disqualified from the Olympics because of steroid use. Hunter ratted her out when it all went down. Jones then went on to have a relationship with her former Track Coach Tim Montgomery. They have a young son. During the last Olympics, Montgomery was banned from the sport when he was found guilty of steroid use. His fall from grace was hard. He was recently indicted along with 12 others in a counterfeit money laundering scheme. Last week, Marion Jones name was linked to the scandal and the counterfeit ring. Reps for Jones say she is innocent. First the steroid scandal and now this. Where there is smoke there is fire, and Marion is always around the flame. Either she has the worst luck in choosing men, or she is guilty.

Action Star Jackie Chan has a good explanation for jumping on stage and acting like a drunken fool during a recent concert in Hong Kong. Apparently, Chan is a frustrated singer. Chan says Hollywood has been sabotaging his musical ambitions. He has always wanted to be a singer. He lip synchs in all of his movies, but those scenes always wind up on the cutting room floor. Filming starts in a few weeks on Rush Hour III with Chris Tucker. Maybe they will let him sing in this sequel.

Is Tyra Banks dating Popular Playwright/Director Tyler Perry? Tyra will never tell. Tyra is very protective of herself, and she will only discuss business. As for the rumored romance, her lips her sealed. Tyra is too busy trying to be the next big media mogul, ala Oprah Winfrey.

Usher is headed to Broadway. He will be making his Broadway debut in the musical Chicago playing the lawyer, “Billy Flynn.” Usher will be in the musical August 22nd thru October 1st.

Back in the 80’s, Mr. T ruled the TV screens wearing his gold chains on the hit TV show The A-Team. The gold chains were his trademark, but now Mr. T has had a change of heart. Mr. T has been dedicating his life to helping the less fortunate, and he says no more gold chains for him. He feels it’s a sin to wear all that gold while others have nothing.

Filmmaker Spike Lee is on a roll. He has signed a development deal with NBC to create a new drama. He just wrapped up work on Mariah Carey’s latest video. His latest hit movie with Denzel Washington, Inside Man, comes out on DVD Aug. 8th, and his documentary about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina debuts on HBO next month. When The Levees Broke will air on HBO August 21st and 22nd and on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, August 29th.

The Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Chicago is undergoing a makeover. Preparations are underway to get the courthouse in order for R Kelly’s upcoming child pornography trial. No trial date has been set. R Kelly has been accused of having sex with an underage girl on videotape.

Former American Idol Winner Fantasia’s life story is coming to the Lifetime Channel. The movie, Life Is Not A Fairytale, will air on August 19th. The movie will focus on her life dropping out of high school, becoming a unwed mother, dealing with rape and finding fame on American Idol. Fantasia is also hard at work on a new album. One of the tunes will be a duet with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Regina King is coming to the aid of “Jack Bauer.” King is joining the cast of the hit Fox show 24. She will play an advocacy lawyer. The new season of 24 kicks off in January 2007.

Talk Show Host Rolanda Watts is gearing up for her new gig as a radio talk show host. Rolanda’s syndicated talk show will be geared towards women.

Tavis Smiley is about to release a new book based on his life and experiences. The book, What I Know For Sure is coming out this fall.

Is Oprah Winfrey gay? NO! Oprah addresses this issue in the latest edition of O magazine. This issue is dedicated to friendships, and she discusses her close bond to best friend of 30 years, Gayle King.

Singer Gerald Levert recently celebrated his 40th birthday. He has a new album, Yellow Diamond, coming out in October, and he’s also going to be revealing a new look.

Vibe magazine’s former Editor in Chief Danyel Smith is returning to the troubled magazine. Her first issue will be the October edition. Smith work as editor in chief back in 1999.

Boxing Great Muhammad Ali turns 65 next January, and a new book is coming out based on his life. Ali Rap arrives in stores on November 2nd, and it will feature Ali’s famous poems, wisecracks and wit.

At the movie this week, it’s The Shadowboxer. Lee Daniels makes his directorial debut in this suspense thriller. Daniels is best known for producing Monster’s Ball and The Woodsman. In The Shadowboxer, he takes you on a journey with two professional killers played by Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Helen Mirren. Cuba Gooding, Jr. is outstanding in this movie. He proves why he is an award-winning actor. He has had many career missteps, but he is back on track with this movie. This film will have you on the edge of your seat. The Shadowboxer also stars Macy Gray, Mo’Nique, and Stephen Dorf as the villainous crime boss. I had a chance to interview Daniels about this project, and he is very excited since this is his directorial debut. There is male frontal nudity, and he admits the movie missed getting an X rating by a slim margin. This movie is not for the kids. But, if you want to check out a drama that will leave you breathless, check out The Shadowboxer opening in theatres this week.

The BET network has announced plans for a new awards show. The BET Hip Hop Awards will air in November, and Comedian Katt Williams is hosting. The BET network already airs the BET Comedy Awards as well as The Gospel Awards, and the highly rated BET Awards.

Whitney Houston has been spotted in Tennessee hanging with good friend and Gospel Sensation CeCe Winans. Whitney is on the road to recovery, and she is surrounding herself with people who have her best interests at heart. Whitney’s hubby has been touring around the country and acting a fool. Are you wondering where is season number two for Being Bobby Brown? Well, you may not see it. I hear the Bravo network has not picked up the show for a second season. Despite the high ratings of last year, Whitney was not included in this round. She and Bobby are separated. Network officials were not happy about this decision. They want Whitney included in the show. Bobby filmed episodes showcasing his family, including his sister, Tina, the squealer. She was the one who sold out Whitney to the tabloids. The Bravo network could care less about the Browns. They want Whitney Houston.

Talk Show Host Montel Williams celebrated his 50th birthday by getting engaged. This will be the third marriage for Montel. He is engaged to a young, brunette flight attendant. Williams’ last marriage ended when his wife caught him cheating with a Swedish model.

Disney Star Raven Symone has signed for the movie Adventures in Babysitting.

Mo’Nique is coming to The View. She will be one of the fill-in hosts as a search for Star Jones Reynolds’ replacement continues. Mo’Nique will be on the show August 18th. Sources for ABC claim that ratings have risen 8 percent since Star left the show. Mo’Nique is also coming to Philly. She will be doing a comedy show at the Tower Theatre in October.

Hot off his hot HBO comedy special, look for Cedric The Entertainer in Atlantic City at The House Of Blues on August 12th.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Actor and Singer is one of the featured Men in a national Women’s magazine. He is proclaiming how he loves African American Women. He is such a liar. He does not date African American Women. He’s a chocolate hunk, but he has color issues (hint: He has never won any major awards).