| CrimsonTide4 |
01-11-2005 08:32 PM |
:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of January 10th, 2005:
Essence Magazine is no longer black owned. The media conglomerate Time Inc., recently bought out the shares of Ed Lewis, the chairman and CEO of Essence Magazine. Ed sold his shares for $125 million. He says he will continue to promote Essence. He says he sold his shares because he wanted the magazine to grow. Essence's new boss is Michelle Eubanks. She's 42 and she has been with Essence for a few years. Eubanks will be in charge of advertising, marketing services, consumer marketing and production. She says she looks forward to expanding Essence and their brand. What will Susan L. Taylor's role be? When you think of Essence, you think of Susan Taylor. What's going to happen to her? **THIS SADDENS ME!!**
The divorce is final between Halle Berry and Eric Benet and Halle gets to keep everything! Halle made Eric sign a prenup and it came in handy. Halle doesn't have to pay spousal support or child support for his daughter. Halle also gets to keep her mansion. Halle recently moved into a new home with actor Michael Ealy. They will be starring in the Oprah Winfrey produced movie Their Eyes Were Watching God which will air on ABC March 6th.
The romance is over between Usher and Naomi Campbell, but Naomi is having a hard time letting go. Naomi is still doing interviews saying they are together, but representatives for Usher say this romance is over and Usher has moved on. Naomi and Usher were supposed to do a photo shoot for an Italy edition of Vogue magazine, but Naomi has been nixed from the photo and Usher will be doing the shoot alone. Usher has been spending time with "video vixen" Karrine Stephans. Stephans has been around and she is known in industry circles as "Superhead." Stephans says Naomi Campbell is delusional if she thinks she would be Usher's one and only. She states Usher will never be faithful because he will always come back to her. Usher liked to have Naomi escort him to events. Don't look for him to do this with Stephans. She's not the type of girl you would take home to your mother. Usher is doing a music concert for the Showtime network. It will air March 5th live from Puerto Rico.
According to published reports Whitney is losing weight again and not looking well. The diva is preparing for her comeback, but she is back to smoking cigarettes and not eating or sleeping. A couple of weeks ago eyebrows were raised when she crashed her Porsche into the back of a bus in Atlanta. Let's hope this will not interfere with her comeback.
At the movies this week it's The Woodsman, the movie produced by Lee Daniels. Daniels is a Philadelphia native and I had the chance to hang out with him last week. Lee produced the movie Monster's Ball with Halle Berry and she went on to win an Oscar. The Woodsman stars Kevin Bacon as a convicted child molester who is trying to adjust to life outside of prison. The movie also stars Bacon's wife, Kyra Sedgewick, Eve, David Allen Grier, Mos Def and Benjamin Bratt. The movie was shot in Philly. Daniels says it's nice to work in his hometown. Last year he shot the movie Shadow Boxer in Philly. Cuba Gooding Jr., will star and it will probably hit theatres next year. Daniels is also going to do a musical with Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Macy Gray and hip-hop pioneer Lady B.
Samuel L. Jackson and Ashanti team up for the drama Coach Carter. Jackson plays the legendary coach who helped a group of youngsters find their way beyond basketball. I met the real Coach Carter last year and he made headlines when he pulled his team from their basketball tournament when their grades were not up to par.
Alicia Keys is planning her "Diary Tour." As soon as she comes to Philly, I'll let you know. Alicia is set to perform at this year's Super Bowl in a pre-game show on February 6th, in Jacksonville, Florida. She will also be performing at the Grammy's on February 13th.
Michael Jordan is headed to Las Vegas. The basketball great is investing in a planned luxury hotel in Las Vegas. The Aqua Blue will have condominiums, a casino, an entertainment complex, a Michael Jordan athletic center, a spa, a Michael Jordan Steakhouse, a Michael Jordan 23 Sports Cafe and a roof top nightclub.
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith grace the February cover of Essence Magazine. The issue is all about love and they talk about their enduring relationship. Last week Will announced that he will not be building a hotel and retail complex in Society Hill. Will wanted to do some big things in his hometown, but those plans have been put on hold. Will's new movie with Eva Mendes, Hitch, opens in theatres on February 11th.
Denzel Washington opens on Broadway April 3rd. The Oscar winner recently turned 50 and he had quite a celebration with his family and friends on the Island of Anguilla. This spring Denzel will be playing "Brutus" in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.
An old rape charge is coming back to haunt James Brown. The "Godfather of Soul" recently underwent surgery for prostate cancer and now he has to deal with a woman who claims she was raped by him in 1988. In her lawsuit the woman, Jacque Hollander, claims she was riding in a van with Brown when he grabbed a shotgun and assaulted her. She says she kept quiet about the incident because he threatened to kill her. She says she is battling a thyroid disease and that the attack brought it on. Will her lawsuit hold up 16 years later?
Andre 3000 from Outkast was supposed to star in movie about the life of legendary rock icon Jimmy Hendrix, but the Hendrix's estate will not allow any of Hendrix's music to be used. You can't do a movie about the life of Jimmy Hendrix without using his music, so the project has been put off indefinitely. Andre will now move on to the movie project, Four Brothers. The movie is about four brothers who are out to avenge the death of their mother. The movie also stars Mark Wahlberg and Tyreese. John Singleton is directing.
One of the greatest classically trained singers of all time is getting a postal stamp. Philadelphia native, opera star, Marion Anderson will be a part of the Black Heritage series by the Postal Service. The stamps are coming out at the end of the month.
Prince is going to be a presenter on Sunday at the Golden Globe Awards. Will this be the big night for Jamie Foxx? He's up for three Golden Globe Awards. Don Cheadle is also nominated for his performance in Hotel Rawanda. The red carpet will be hot with Joan and Melissa Rivers doing their thing for the TV Guide Channel. This will be the debut show for Joan and Melissa on their new home. They used to be on the E Channel, but they left E for greener pastures. Star Jones Reynolds will be working the carpet for the E Channel. Who will win the battle for the red carpet? Look for Star to gush all over the stars while Joan will not hold anything back with her sarcastic tongue.
Our get well wishes go out to Walter Scott of the Whispers. Walter successfully underwent surgery for prostate cancer in December. Walter credits early detection with saving his life.
The Staple Singers and Soul Train creator Don Cornelius will be honored at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. The Grammys will be held on February 13th.
Author Brenda L. Thomas is back with a hot new book called The Velvet Rope. Brenda is a fascinating storyteller. She mixes her stories with erotic tales making sure you can't put your book down.
Taye Diggs has had to tend to his injured wife, Broadway star, Idina Menzel. Menzel fell through a trapped door and cracked her rib while performing in the Broadway musical "Wicked." Menzel played the green skinned witch "Elphaba."
Dionne Warwick is celebrating 40 years in the music business with a new book of wisdom. The book, My Point of View, also features photos of her during her career.
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