I think this was 10 years ago or so. Wes was waxing rhapsodic about the virtues of Asian women over AfAm women in an article. He's lost a lot of his black female fan base because of this, and for a time, he was rarely spotted at AfAm entertainment industry events.

Sorry, Steeltrap. :o I meant how did Jamie pull a "Wesley"?

*jelly* of your picture with Idris.

LOL @ you and Laurie Ann.

Thanks for clarifying. To my knowledge, Eric/Jamie hasn't yet pulled a Wesley.
:o

Alicia signs production deal with Disney (BV)
 

Alicia Keys is Hollywood swinging -- for real.

The nine-time Grammy Award winning neo-soul wunderkind has signed a multi-year first look film production deal at Disney, with her producing partner and manager Jeff Robinson.

According to 'Variety,' the first project will be a remake of the 1958 film 'Bell, Book and Candle.' Keys, 26, is slated to play the role originated by Kim Novak. James Stewart and Jack Lemmon also starred in the Richard Quine-directed comedy about a modern-day witch who likes her neighbor but despises his fiancée, and then enchants him to love her instead, only to fall in love with him for real.

The duo reportedly chose the remake as a starting vehicle after Robinson watched the original and saw potential for Keys, who said the goal is to create vehicles that will prevent her from falling into predictable roles.

"I never wanted to play myself, not in the first role or even the second. I want to do the unexpected," she said.

Through their company, Big Pita, Little Pita, Robinson and Keys will aim to develop live-action and animated projects at their company.

Robinson said the company’s name is an acronym for the way he and Keys refer to each other: "It's big pain in the ass, little pain in the ass, and on any given day, I could be the Big Pita, or vice versa."

An office will be opened on the Disney lot, but their base of operations will be in New York City, where Susan Lewis has been hired to run the company.

Keys, who did some minor acting before being signed to Clive Davis' J Records, will make her feature film debut in Joe Carnahan's 'Smokin' Aces,' as an assassin. The Ben Affleck action flick, due out this fall, also stars Common, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Jason Bateman and Taraji P. Henson.

Keys also recently wrapped 'The Nanny Diaries,' based on the best-selling Nicole Kraus novel of the same name.

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.

Sounds like she needs an attitude adjustment. Sheesh. The Tom Joyner interview was funny when one of the guys asked her if she was going to be acting on her show how she does in real life, referencing her frequent cursing. She was like "how do you know how I act?" and he said CUZ I SEEN YOU ON THE ISLAND! I SAW YOU CURSING! lmao!! :p It seems to me from everyones statements that she's always on the defensive for some reason. Maybe insecurity...maybe she's insecure about all those fugly hairdos they have her wear :eek: I know I for one will not be buying her cd.

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).

Tyrese?

LOL!! I always cringe when she gets to the "found" part. Hot Mess.

Outcast breaking up? Mama NOOOOOOO! :( But I won't belive it until I heard it from them.

A lot of the news this week is really, really old. :(

Soror, it's not Tyrese. He's not even featured. *flipping through Essence* The only other person I see qualifying (besides Jamie) is Common. And we know he's dated sisters before. They are the only two who are both big in music and film.

I'm thinking Tyrese also.... Is the "Women's magazine" that they are referring to Essence?

Common would not qualify; I don't think he falls under the description of "chocolate hunk."

i was thinking tyrese too - only because he's on the essence website listed (among several other celebs and regular guys) as "an essence do right man." he said sisters were his inspiration and ".... I love their hair, skin, eyes, bodies, spirit and strength. I love their presence. I’ve never dated out of my race ever. Ever, ever. Hail to the Black woman."

LOL @ this. I mean...does he want a cookie? :rolleyes: :p :D
Date who you want to date.

All they had to say is he was on the website and not in the book.

It sounds like Tyrese to me too.

Goodness knows i haven't watched The View in a hot minute but I just may have to dvr it when Mo'Nique is on there. :p

Monique may have to tell them about themselves on the way they did Star! Now that will be some classic TV! :D

Tyrese won an American Muisc Award, if that counts.

Yes it would be classic Monique! she is not one to mince words! I was shocked to read what she said to Reverend Jesse Jackson at the Essence music festival recently!

Not quite sure if it's completely true....
 

(Kelly) Rowland pregnant

24/07/2006 - 07:09:05

Former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland is two month's pregnant with her first child.

Rowland, who was working on a solo record, will put her pop plans on hold until after the birth, according to British tabloid the Daily Mirror.

She says: "It's kind of a bitter-sweet feeling because I was planning to release an album next year."

The Survivor singer, 25, has yet to reveal the father of her unborn child. Last year, she was due to marry Dallas (Texas) Cowboys American football player Roy Williams, but they called the ceremony off claiming they were both too young to get married.

Rowland recently revealed she has started dating again.

:eek:

Don't believe it and won't until either People and/or AP comes out with it. And neither one has the story. A lot of those British tabloids have been wrong lately. They just gave a public apoligy to Britney lately because they ran a story about her and KFed breaking up and had no proof that they were. In other words, the story was made up.

Those are probably the same people who said that Ashanti is pregnant and doesn't know who the father is. I have seen some pics of her recently and trust me, SHE'S NOT PREGNANT! :rolleyes: