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Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of March 12th, 2007

Dreamgirls is coming out on DVD May 1st.

Last week, I talked about the Jennifer Hudson backlash, and this week it continues. Is the Dreamgirls star and Oscar winner turning into an ungrateful Diva? She’s got the awards. She’s got new teeth, new clothes, new wigs and a new attitude. Jennifer Hudson was the big honoree at this year’s Soul Train Awards. Hudson got the Entertainer of the Year Award, but she almost missed out because she tried not to show up. Hudson knew she was being honored. But, at the last minute, she decided she was tired and didn’t want to go. Her handlers tried to cancel the appearance, but Soul Train Creator Don Cornelius was not having it. He was livid. How dare she? She’s only been a star for a minute! Cornelius quickly called her boss, Record Mogul Clive Davis. Davis contacted Hudson and told her to get her a** on a plane immediately! He is working on her new album. Davis reminded her despite her Oscar, she is going to have to promote an album, and you don’t start out by dissing a legend such as Don Cornelius. Hudson showed up, collected her award and sang. John Legend has been brought in to help her with the project. Speaking of Jennifer, The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin says she would like Hudson to star in a movie based on Franklin’s life. Hudson says she would like her next movie project to be the life story of Jackie Robinson. Robert Redford is directing the movie about the first African American to break into baseball’s major leagues.

In other Soul Train news, a shocking number of winners failed to attend the awards show. No shows included Jamie Foxx, Beyonce, and Mary J. Blige, to name a few. Out of ten categories, only two winners were on hand to accept their award. Don Cornelius is a music legend. He feels it’s a total lack of respect for today’s stars to treat his show like it’s nothing. Is it a case of too many awards shows? After a while, they all start to blend in together. I think there are too many, but you have to remember your history. I feel bad for Cornelius. The show is often aired at horrible times and is never publicized, therefore you never know it’s on. The show went on as planned with Robin Thicke performing along with Omarion and Marques Houston. There were also big tributes to Producers Babyface and Jermaine Dupri, but the other major winners simply didn’t show up. Let me know what you think. E-mail me at Pattyj1053@aol.com

Star Jones-Reynolds is returning to TV in her own daytime show. Jones-Reynolds will be hosting a show on Court TV where she will go back to her roots of being a legal analyst. She will be both the host and anchor. The show will focus on the issues important in the world. Jones-Reynolds also unveiled a new look: glasses, shorter hair and outfits that show off her newly trimmed body.

The Godfather of Soul James Brown can finally rest in peace. After 76 days, his body has been laid to rest at a crypt in Beech Island, South Carolina. The Crypt is at the home of one of his daughters. The entire Brown Family, including companion Tomi Rae Hynie and 5-year old James Brown, Jr., gathered to pay their last respects. Despite challenges to The Brown Will, everyone was on their best behavior.

Singer Ron Isley and his young wife made quite a splash at the Soul Train Awards. Isley and his family are getting ready to hit the road for a tour. Despite his legal issues, Isley wants to see his fans. Last year, he was convicted of tax evasion and cashing his dead brothers checks. Isley is getting sentenced at the end of August. Despite his recent stroke and bouts with kidney cancer, he will be serving at least 37 months in jail. Isley is excited about the upcoming tour. He is the proud father of two infants. His first son was born less than three months ago. His entire family will be joining him on the road. Isley will be in the Philadelphia area in late April. Details are listed below in upcoming events.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell insists she’s a changed woman. She has turned her back on the days of drugs and outlandish behavior. No more lashing out at the foreign help. Campbell says since being sentenced to community work for beating up her maid, she wants to change people’s lives. Campbell is scheduled to do a sit down with Oprah Winfrey, but she is also looking to land her own TV gig.

Queen Latifah wants to be a mommy, and she has filed the necessary paper work to become a foster parent. The popular rapper and movie star says it’s time to fulfill her dream of motherhood. Later this year, Latifah teams up with John Travolta for the movie musical Hairspray.

Holly Robinson Peete, wife of retired NFL Quarterback Rodney Peete has joined the cast of the new ABC drama Football Wives. Gabrielle Union and Ving Rhames also star in the show about the lives of the wives of NFL athletes. Football Wives is set to debut this fall.

Flex Alexander is joining the cast of the ABC comedy Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office. Alexander is married to Singer Shanice. He used to star in the UPN show One on One.

Is a Vegas deal in the works for the Jackson Family? The family needs money. Will they be starring in a show on the Las Vegas strip? Michael Jackson is in danger of losing his Beatles catalog. Word has it it’s going to be sold in a liquidation sale next year. Michael and his brothers are broke. Will they take the bait and reunite for the money? I hear millions are at stake with a Vegas stand and possible world tour.

Producer Tracey Edmonds is defending her man. Now that awards season is over, Eddie Murphy will go back to being a recluse, but Tracey still wants the spotlight. When she was married to Babyface, Tracey experienced fame. But, with Eddie Murphy, it was on another level and she loved it. She’s got a lot of projects going on with the BET network, and she’s enjoying the exposure and magazine covers. In a recent interview, Tracey was asked about Eddie and his friendship with Singer Johnny Gill. Tracey stated Eddie is not gay, and he and Johnny have been friends for 20 years. She says it’s a shame people have misconstrued their relationship. She says the DL rumors are garbage. Tracey also talks about Mel B, the former Spice Girl who says she is carrying Eddie’s baby. According to Tracey, Eddie will be responsible and do his part if the DNA tests prove that he is the father. Mel B recently had her baby shower in Beverly Hills surrounded by family and friends.

In other Eddie Murphy news, he is teaming up with Comedian/Actor Katt Williams for the movie Marshals. Eddie is producing, and Katt Williams is writing the script about the first black US Marshals. Williams is on a roll. He will be teaming up with HBO for a sequel to his popular Pimp Chronicles comedy show.

At the movies, its Chris Rock and Kerry Washington in I think I Love My Wife. Chris directed the comedy, and he says this is his first grown-up role. Gina Torres plays Rock’s wife in the movie. In real life, she is married to Actor Laurence Fishburne.

Years ago, when K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci fame dated Mary J. Blige, he put her through hell. K-Ci and Mary had a stormy relationship. Now years later, he wants to apologize to Mary for all he put her through. K-Ci recently recorded and filmed a video for his song, I Apologize. The video even has a Mary J. Blige look-a-like.

Singer Joss Stone is reportedly dating Singer/Songwriter/Producer Raphael Saadiq. Saadiq is best known from the group Tony Tone Tone. She’s 19. He’s 41, and for the first time has been publicly linked to a woman.

Young singing sensation Omarion teams up with Usher for the remix of his new song Icebox.

Rosie O’Donnell will be doing one more year with The View. Since her arrival, The View has turned into the talk of the town with her infamous feuds ranging from her boss, Barbara Walters, to Mogul Donald Trump. O’Donnell will be leaving the show next year to host her own daytime talker. It will probably be a rough year for The View. O’Donnell loves a good feud and word has it she doesn’t like Bill Geddie, the show’s executive producer. Also, the show has yet to find a minority replacement for Star Jones-Reynolds. Will this position ever be filled?

Muhammad Ali’s daughter Laila Ali is gearing up for the new season of Dancing with the Stars. Ali is also planning her summer wedding to football star Curtis Conway. Last season’s Dancing with the Stars winner, Football Great Emmitt Smith, has landed a new job. He’s going to be a color analyst for ESPN.

The complaints about Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa are growing louder. Is the school too strict? Some of the parents of the girls are upset and are speaking out. They feel the girls are treated like inmates in jail. The girls are not allowed to eat candy. They can only eat Oprah approved meals such as fruit, yogurt and sandwiches. The parents are also upset that they can only see their daughters once a month. Oprah says her school is safe, not strict.

R Kelly, Diane Warren and Writer/Producer Johnta Austin have come on board to help Whitney Houston with her latest release. Houston is currently working with a vocal coach. Friends fear years of drug abuse and smoking may have ruined her voice.

Now speaking of R Kelly, his new album DoubleUp is coming out in late May. And a DVD set of his epic series Trapped in the Closet is coming out July 11th.

Has American Idol reached its peak? Every week, the popular Fox show has a new controversy. Singer Mario Vasquez from the 2005 season is being sued. Vasquez was a popular contestant who made it into the final 12. Then, he suddenly left the show. Vasquez cited family reasons, and he insisted he would pursue a music career. Well, now the truth is coming out about why he left the show. A former male employee on the set of American Idol is suing Vasquez for sexual harassment. The male employee claims Vasquez would corner him then proceed to fondle himself. He also offered his sexual services. This season, Jersey Girl Antonella Barba made headlines when intimate photos of her in various sex poses became public. In the beginning, Idol producers lied about it claiming it wasn’t her. Well, it turns out Barba was the girl in the photos. Every year there is a scandal of some sort. More people talk about the scandals then the singing. If it’s not the contestants, then it’s the antics of Idol Judge Paula Abdul, who may or may not be under the influence.

The long awaited autobiography of Rick James is coming out next month. Memoirs of A Superfreak arrives in stores April 15th. The popular singer/musician died two years ago. He often made headlines for his wild behavior, but he was a brilliant musician.

Singer Teddy Pendergrass is gearing up for a big music event at the Kimmel Center in June.

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

This lady is the girlfriend of a hip hop mogul. For years, she has put up with his cheating, ego and drugs. Despite the fact that she is mother of some of his kids, he won’t marry her. Lately, he’s been embarrassing her left and right with other women and wild behavior. Sources say she’s fed up and is ready to leave him, but can she walk away? He’s got her under his spell.