I don't like the idea of this.... Though I really think that it is great that it would be readily available, this will give people the EXCUSE to have unprotected sex, then run to Walgreens for the pill. Hopefully the side effects will be significant enough that a woman wouldn't want to repeatedly use it.

I had a roommate who took Plan B while we were in school. She was sick as a horse for three days, and had horrible cramping for about a week. This is NOT an excuse to run out and have unprotected sex, definitely.

Whew you can say that again. I hope the kids look like her. LOL.
Congrats to them!
SC

That's what they need to advertise to women. We all know that some people use abortion as a form of birth control. I know that pill will make them think twice. I remember when I was on the pill and missed one, I would be screwed up when I had to take two at a time. Therefore, I KNOW that a pill which amounts to taking multiple BC pills will have someone jacked up!

I like the idea of having to go to some place like Planned Parenthood to get it. At least this way, it would not be as easy as popping over to the drug store and it may help those who were not going to be as careful to be careful b/c otherwise they will have to be at least slightly embarrased when going to PP. With over the counter, it's like there is absolutely no one to face if you are irresponsible. The other thing that I think is fine about leaving it at PP is that they can't prevent you from getting it no matter how many times you go (I don't think) and they can't jack up the price and you still have plenty of time to go and get it afterwards.

I definitely think it's a positive development however, as condoms do break.
How is this different from the morning after pill?

SC

That was my immediate reaction too, but I'm wondering if the price automatically goes down when a drug becomes over-the-counter? Last I heard that pill was $40, so people might think twice about having $40 sex.

$40 amounts to a hill of kidney beans when you think about having to raise a baby for the next x amount of years....

True, I just mean that people might figure that if they're going to the drugstore anyway they might as well go beforehand and buy condoms for much less. But of course common sense isn't always a given.

BV Buzz 7/31---Tyrese raps!
 

Double Play

"Don't ever limit creative people. Don't ever limit us. We're not one dimensional people," Tyrese told me from Sony Studios in New York City, where he was laying tracks for his hip-hop CD. For Tyrese, who plans to introduce his hip-hop alias Black Ty on a forthcoming double CD on J Records, despite critics mocking his choice to add the title "rapper" to his resume, he's got something to prove.

"When I went from singing to acting, they told me to leave it alone," recalled the entertainer, who is a native of Los Angeles' Watts section. "That was until they saw my performance in 'Baby Boy.' Five years later, people show up and see the movies I am in. I am not going to force this hip-hop thing on none of my R&B fans. If you're an R&B fan, then stay my R&B fan. But just go into this new album with an open mind. But because I got this hip-hop game behind me, it's just given me more confidence in this message I've received to go and do this. It's a double album-double or nothing at this point."

With six feature films that have grossed more than $292 million at the U.S. box office, a music career that has garnered one platinum CD (1998's 'Tyrese') and two gold albums (2001's '2000 Watts'/2002's 'I Wanna Go There'), and a lucrative modeling contract with Guess, Tyrese's decision to rap flummoxes most people. To him, it's a natural progression.

"Well the temperature of hip-hop is real inviting. Basically, R&B singers are unemployed because rappers are singing their own hooks. Everything about hip-hop is really cleaning its act up. You see cats in videos with their big glasses on and nice sweaters and they're putting on button-ups. Everyone is really cleaning their act up. When I look at BET and MTV, I look at the image of these rappers, and I look at the image of these R&B singers and I can't really tell the difference in them. I don't know if they're singing or rhyming, these new artists. So it makes sense for me to jump on it right now," he added.

Full disclosure: Tyrese tricked this very columnist into liking his hip-hop tracks. Last fall the singer sent over several Mp3 audio files, not identifying them as his own rap records, and solicited my feedback on this "new artist" with whom he was working. Of the five or so tracks I played, I really liked four and sent him a note saying: "The rapper is hot! Who is that?" His answer was, "Black Ty," who I continued to believe was some new L.A.-bred hip-hop artist until a week later when Tyrese came clean.

"At this point, I really can't do what I did with you to anybody else, because I have put it out there so tough, that everybody knows that Black Ty is Tyrese," laughed the entertainer. "At first, I was going to go the more low-key route, white label the joint and put it out with Snoop." (He stopped mid-sentence and began laughing.) "What's crazy is that's one of my lines in a rhyme. (He starts rapping.) 'I decided to let my truth be known/ my face be shown/ this rap s@#% is mine/ and I am gonna bring it on."

Tyrese feels his alter ego can address things that the R&B balladeer could never touch on. "I'm rhyming about my story in Watts and things I went through with my family and my loved ones. Its some street s@#%, you know what I mean? I'm rhyming about that cause I could never sing about that. The homies that stole from me and the strip clubs and wildin' out," he explained. Tyrese admitted singing is still his first love and vows this won't be his first and last hip-hop record. "At this point, I am so far into it. The momentum and the blessing of all of these cats being behind me is so far, I wouldn't even disrespect hip-hop and just be playing around and doing a one-off," he said.

Though he's collaborated with everyone from The Game to Ice Cube to Yo Yo, Memphis Bleek, Kurupt and Chingy, Tyrese said the likelihood of all of those collaborations making his disc isn't good. "I don't want everybody from the hip-hop industry on my record; I just want to do records with them. I am not going to have too many collaborations on my album because I become insecure, like I need these people to be credible," he shared.

But the one collaboration he hopes will make the double disc will be a dream come true for the artist. "I'm trying to do a record with Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. That's going to be my signature record. All of us are going to be singing on it and rapping on it," he confessed.

In between cutting records, Tyrese will shoot two films, including Michael Bay's 'Transformers' and 'The Take' opposite John Leguizamo and Meagan Good. "I'm done with movies for now. I am full on back into the music game. My fans have been waiting for me. I have been hard at work getting these albums done," he closed.

Strike Two

Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune gossip columnist C.J. broke news last week-not People magazine, which is claiming it did-that Manuela Testolini Nelson, wife of Prince, has filed for divorce from the purple-loving rock star. Nelson actually filed for divorce on May 24, at the Hennepin County District Court and hired attorney Edward Winer to represent her. This was Prince's second marriage. He was previously married to his former dancer-singer Mayte Garcia.

C.J. has her own theory as to why Prince has failed at marriage a second time. "As nice as Mayte and Manuela are, they did not come close to being his equals. He had all the power in the relationship. They were young and malleable. I'm guessing that as soon as these twenty-something's began to define themselves that was threatening to a control freak like him. He had all the power in the relationships," said the columnist, who Prince despises so much that he wrote a song about her called 'Billy Jack Bitch.' "He gets bored with people rather than spending time to deepen the relationships by learning new things about them…Symbolina is the poster child for 'My Way or the Highway.'"

Does C.J. think Prince will give marriage a third try? "Lord, I hope not. I think he can make plenty of women miserable just by dating. But maybe he'll get married again because he likes kids. Of course, I don't know if he realizes that when you have children you should no longer behave like one," she offered.

And what will become of Manuela? "I'm just hoping that when [Pamela Anderson's ex, rocker] Tommy Lee calls, Manuela will say 'No thanks!' That's a phrase Mayte didn't say soon enough," C.J. added.

By the way, Page Six of the New York Post is reporting that Nelson-whom they called "Testolini Nelson"-left Prince because he is spending too much time trying to secure a record deal for his protégé Tamar Davis. Their report claimed: "He is trying to get her signed with a major label and has her doing the rounds…He hasn't found a taker, but he is smitten with her." That's so not true! Davis is already signed to Universal Records, who released Prince's newest album '3121.' Her debut CD, 'Milk & Honey,' is slated to drop Aug. 29.

I heard that too, but it sounded like to me that he is going with Tamar. If true, it's nothing but history repeating itself.

Buzzworthy

Forget pickled pig's feet! According to Hollywood gossip Janet Charlton, Wesley Snipes has a thing for barbecued women's feet. Following the story in U.K.'s News of the World detailing Snipes' sexual escapades in Cardiff, Wales with a woman named Fran Murphy, who said Snipes included "strawberries and a big jug of chocolate sauce" into their romantic experience, Charlton said the timing couldn't be better to pour the tale of Snipes' unctuous favorite sexual sauce. Years ago we were told that Snipes was addicted to both barbecue sauce and women's feet! A high priced Hollywood call girl told us that, allegedly, Wesley had a standing weekly appointment with her and their kinky sessions involved very little sex. He liked to sniff and fondle her high heeled shoes and topped off their dates by smothering her feet in barbecue sauce and licking it off," Charlton said at www.JanetCharlton.com.

I hear that casting is underway for the theatrical production 'Invisible Life,' which is the second E. Lynn Harris novel to be adapted into a stage play. Auditions took place last week in Los Angeles for the production that will be directed by Broadway veteran George Faison and feature original music by Ashford & Simpson. Apparently the goal is to test 'Invisible Life' in several key markets in an attempt to get it Broadway ready.

I saw and met E. Lynn a few weeks ago when he came to my hometown. I thought they were going to make this into a movie (which I can see). I don't know if Broadway is ready for this! But even if it becomes a movie or play, I am glad that they are finally going to do this because he has been working on this for several years.

Rev. Jesse Jackson loves being with the people-even in coach. The rhyming reverend flew near the back of a U.S. Airways flight from Washington, D.C. to Chicago recently after his flight the day before was cancelled due to weather conditions. He and his aide flew coach on the 6:55 a.m. flight and didn't seem to mind the 18-month-old kid who kept kicking his seat, nor the flight attendant who kept coming to the back to make small talk. "When he got on the plane, he made sure to shake damn near everybody's hand," said one passenger. "The pilot held up us exiting the plane to have a photo shoot with Jesse on our way out." And while Jackson's aide waited at the baggage claim in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for the reverend's luggage, he was off shaking hands, kissing babies and, of course, telling people to "Keep Hope Alive!"

Neo-soul singer Donnie is gearing up for his sophomore release 'The Daily News.' The CD is the follow-up to 'The Colored Section,' which was released on Motown in May 2003. 'The Daily News' is being led with the single "911" and the accompanying music video will be shot by 2006 Vibe/Urbanworld Film Festival winner Joe Robert Cole. Donnie is a cousin of late soul icon Marvin Gaye.

R&B stars Javier, Algebra, Eric Roberson, Jaguar Wright and others are all scheduled to be on hand for The International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta. The conference will take place at The Marriott Atlanta in downtown Atlanta Aug. 11-12. "Now is the time to highlight and recognize this genre of music as it creates an urban vibe that is a lifestyle that expands across the globe and is poised to positively impact the world," said Terry Bello, general manager of the Soul Music Summit.

Frankly Speaking

"The five people you spend the most time with, that's who you are. If you don't want to be those five people, you look around and you don't want to be them, then you've go to hang with five new people." - Oscar nominee Will Smith during Charlie Mack's Party 4 Peace Weekend in Philadelphia.

Can't Say Names…

Could there be more baby mamma drama for a certain rappin' music executive? I hear that said entertainer, who moonlights in acting as well as having ventures in television, has fathered a child by a third baby mamma. Apparently, the hip-hop honcho offered the alleged sexual triste almost $1 million to terminate the pregnancy. The mistress wasn't all about the Benjamins and refused. To add insult to injury, I'm told she's sent word to his long-time girlfriend that she had the baby, which has sent that relationship into a tailspin. I guess a third child support hearing will be happening once the paternity test is done. Diddy

BV Scene

Ashley Stewart model Mia Amber had just finished celebrating her birthday with relatives at P. F. Chang's China Bistro in Westbury, N.Y. when they ran into the veteran R&B collective Earth Wind & Fire outside. The group struck up conversation with the model-actress and her family, before inviting them on their tour bus and posing for photos… Gospel artist Vashawn Mitchell shopping at the Kuhlman boutique in Chicago's Wicker Park… Eddie Murphy partying at Love in the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, where Seal and Heidi Klum were also hanging out. The night before Murphy's ex-wife Nicole, who is now going by her maiden name Mitchell, was dancing with an unidentified man at the Las Vegas nightclub Light in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino… R&B singer Syleena Johnson having dinner with her fiancé, former Sacramento Kings guard Kiwane Garris at the Chicago restaurant Tavern… Radio-TV talent Bo Griffin was spotted in New York City exiting The Park South Hotel on East 28th Street. Griffin is apparently one of the front runners for Star Jones Reynolds' seat on 'The View.' Wonder if she was meeting with ABC execs while in the Big Apple?

On Wesley Snipes: He liked to sniff and fondle her high heeled shoes and topped off their dates by smothering her feet in barbecue sauce and licking it off," :eek: Would that be mesquite, honey bbq, SPICY??? LOL (I'm dying over here.) :D I can see the chocolate and strawberries but bbq sauce? That fetish with the shoes is really funny! Can you imagine Dave Chappel doing a skit on this?

I almost forgot. I heard that Diana Ross will be on Desperate Housewives this season. That should be very interesting.

I forgot this too and had to come back. Janet was on BET this evening. Janet is in LUV for real. Talk about giving your man a shout out. After today's show there is no doubt Janet lovessss her some Jermaine. (LOL) They showed her new video with Nelly. It is beautiful and very unique. That must be that love glow. :)

I'm still waiting on Diana to be on Girlfriends! :p

Speaking of Ms. Jackson, I heard on the radio yesterday there is a campaign to get her video aired on MTV more. They said people (fans) have been voting on TRL and been posting messages on their website but the video doesn't get on and the messages get deleted. Fans are claming this is because of the Super Bowl incident (MTV was over the show and CBS aired it and they are owned by Viacom) and they air more of Jessica, Justin, Beyonce, Xtina, etc.

First off, the song's not that great (which they also said on the radio that is probably the reason it's not getting any play). Two, Janet's 40 now. She's now competing with people 15-20 years younger than her. There would be one time that it didn't matter what age you were and you got played on the radio or was on MTV/VH1/BET. That's totally different now. Come to think of it, Mimi's creeping up at 36 and Madonna's over the hill at 48.

I am not understanding Janet Jackson's obsession with Asian culture(s). I am totally confused by her "Call On Me" video.... And why does she always put those pointy fingertip attachments on? :confused:

Starra and BGA at Kiki and Russey's party
 

Madras shorts are a no-no. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6...juice/art1.jpg

Now everytime I heard that song, I think about what you said and it's possible he wrote that about her. That is a pretty song and it does have some truth to it.

Flo was on the radio yesterday taking about a recent pic of Halle. She said Halle had on a sun dress and think she saw a little bump and that her hips were getting wider. I know what she's trying to say but I'm still going to wait on official word.

If true, I wonder if Halle is using model boyfriend as a sperm donor like Madonna did when she had Lola (but in her case it was trainer boyfriend).

Can't Say Names…

Could there be more baby mamma drama for a certain rappin' music executive? I hear that said entertainer, who moonlights in acting as well as having ventures in television, has fathered a child by a third baby mamma. Apparently, the hip-hop honcho offered the alleged sexual triste almost $1 million to terminate the pregnancy. The mistress wasn't all about the Benjamins and refused. To add insult to injury, I'm told she's sent word to his long-time girlfriend that she had the baby, which has sent that relationship into a tailspin. I guess a third child support hearing will be happening once the paternity test is done. (Diddy)

If this mess is true, he needs to be horsewhipped.

Right now you can request Plan B on Planed Parenthood's website, and they will just call it in for you at the drug store. They do, however, restrict how frequently the pill is issued. I thought Plan B = Morning After Pill = Emergency Contraception.

If true, Diddy surely doesn't need it right now. Justin's mom is already hitting him up as it is. The "Benjamin" clue gave it away and the other people they had listed were unbeliveable (Ice-T, Ye, etc.)

Awww, come on! Diddy is way too old for this. Things like this make me have no faith in men. He has a good woman who stands by him although he won’t marry her and accepts that he has a baby mama and he still can’t do right.

Man....guess he never learns...

You know what, stuff like this makes me think he may be a little fruity. Puffy isn't stupid, he's a smart man. He organized the vote or die campaign but he doesn't know to wear a condom? He's just being trifilin. He know's how to get his a$$ on infomercials for proactiv when he doesn't even have any pimples and he won't marry his baby mama/girl? Sometimes I think he's just gay and doesn't know what to do. Maybe he thinks being "free" by not marrying old girl or having a lot of babies will "cure" him. He's a type A personality and he fills his life with things to do, maybe that's another mask. Ol' girl is gonna be waiting for a loooooong time

ETA: I also think Plan B is the morning after pill and EC. I took it once and that mess had me crying for two days straight. It was horrible. I'll never do it again. I think if it's approved for OTC use it will be abused. A lot of girls, when I was in college, used it frequently. I was so embarassed when I went to go get it. The nurse was asking me all of these personal questions and I was like what the heck? Just give me what I need! She also gave me a mini lecture as if I didn't already feel bad. OTC definitely helps with that certain stigma that comes along with it but I still see people abusing it.

How is a woman breastfeeding her baby-Gross?
 

Babytalk magazine generates controversy with nursing cover

NEW YORK (AP) -- "I was SHOCKED to see a giant breast on the cover of your magazine," one person wrote. "I immediately turned the magazine face down," wrote another. "Gross," said a third.

These readers weren't complaining about a sexually explicit cover, but rather one of a baby nursing, on a wholesome parenting magazine -- yet another sign that Americans are squeamish over the sight of a nursing breast, even as breast-feeding itself gains more support from the government and medical community.

Babytalk is a free magazine whose readership is overwhelmingly mothers of babies. Yet in a poll of more than 4,000 readers, a quarter of responses to the cover were negative, calling the photo -- a baby and part of a woman's breast, in profile -- inappropriate.


The rest of the story and pic of the cover causing all the uproar:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/27/nur....ap/index.html

The responses to this cover have me baffled. I mean this is a natural part of life. I've seen plenty of magazine covers with half dressed women exposed in a sexual nature and I didn't hear about anyone writing in opposing to it. (And some of these same magazines can be found in doctor's offices, etc.) I was really surprised to hear so many women speaking against the cover. Afterall this is a 'baby magazine.' :confused: Maybe it's me but I don't look at that cover and go, "Oh my God this is just so gross!" Women have been breastfeeding since the beginning of time.

*Also, I agree hayle yeah Diddy is too old for this mess. That's why I didn't even respond. He's going to spend $1 mil. to abort the baby when he could have spent a couple of dollars for some condoms? Second thought he could have gotten some from one of his boys for free.

Guess he knew she didn't have any STDS...right. Pregnancy is one thing but he isn't even thinking about STDs.
SC

Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of July 31st, 2006

Former American Idol winner Fantasia is making changes in her life, and a lot of people are upset. On August 19th, her life story is coming to the Lifetime network. The TV movie, Life Is Not A Fairytale, centers on her life and struggles, and how she went on to win the title of American Idol. Fantasia claims producers wanted her to quit the competition because the truth was coming out about her past. The internet was abuzz with stories about her being a high school dropout with reading issues. She was also a young, unwed teen mother. Producers felt this news would hurt the show, and she was urged to drop out. Idol producers say this is not true. They were aware of her past, and were comfortable with it. They are upset with her version of the truth. In the meantime, Fantasia has fired her managers from 19 Entertainment, who own American Idol. Since winning the title of American Idol, Fantasia has had many career missteps, including her admission of not being able to read and losing the movie role in Dreamgirls to Jennifer Hudson. Who could forget her appearance in Philly at the Fourth of July festivities? Barefoot with booty shorts and no bra! Fantasia is currently looking for new advisors. She has a new album coming out in October. One of the songs included is a duet with Aretha Franklin.

Janet Jackson is making a major career misstep herself. In recent interviews, she has been talking about her sex life with boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. Check out the interview in the latest edition of Essence magazine. Dupri was recently in Philly. He was talking about the kind of sex he likes, and what he likes done to him. TMI! Too Much Information! Who needs to hear this! Janet, you have an album to sell! Your song with Nelly (Call On Me) is not getting any love. The BET network plays the video, but MTV and VH1 are ignoring it. MTV is probably holding a grudge against Janet because they co-produced the Superbowl show where she exposed her breast with Justin Timberlake. Justin has a new video. He ripped Janet’s outfit and that’s when her breast was exposed, but MTV is playing his video non-stop. Why are they shunning Janet? She helped build that network along with her brother Michael. The MTV Video Music Awards air on August 31st. Justin Timberlake is performing. He has a new album coming out in September. Beyonce is performing. She has a new album coming out in September. Where’s Janet?!! She has a new album coming out in September, but she will not be performing on the MTV Video Music Awards. Instead of talking about sex with J.D., she should be finding out why she is being blacklisted by MTV. Janet needs a major hit, but this first single is stumbling out of the gate. She is also being criticized for her fashion wear since she lost weight. Janet looks amazing, but some of the photos with her wrinkling stomach are turning people off. Jermaine Dupri is the executive producer of the new project and he wants Janet to change her image, but the sex talk has got to go. No one wants to hear about sex with J.D. I love Janet, but she is not getting good career advice. She needs to resume her acting career. What do you think? Is MTV blacklisting Janet? Do you like the new song? Is Janet being advised right? Jermaine also took time to throw a dagger at Beyonce claiming she won’t have Janet’s longevity. Uhhhhhhhhh J.D., if Janet keeps following your advice, SHE won’t have much longevity. Janet needs a hit album…maybe she will clear things up when she sits down with Oprah on September 26th.

Why did Prince’s marriage fall apart? Was he cheating on his young wife? Did she get tired of being neglected. 29-year old Manuela Testolini shocked the musician when she filed for divorce. Prince, who’s 48, never spent anytime with her. They were married for five years and had no children. While Prince toured and spent time with his protégé Tamar, Testolini stayed at home. She was bored and all alone. By filing for divorce from Prince, she decided she wanted more out of life. She wants a man who’ll spend time with her. Prince has been very busy. Rumor has it he will be the halftime entertainment at the 2007 Superbowl, and he’s about to release The Prince Ultimate Collection. All of the hits from 1978-1993, plus hard to find remixes and a DVD of videos and performances are included.

Keenen Ivory Wayans has found love with Brittany Daniel, the young, blonde co-star of his latest movie Little Man. Keenen directed the movie that stars his brothers Marlon and Shawn. Keenen recently reached a settlement with his former wife, Daphne. She is the mother of his five children, and she is finally getting her due. Daphne Wayans was with Keenen for 12 years. They got married in 2001. After two years of marital bliss, Wayans dumped his wife and she had to go live with her mother. Keenen wanted the Hollywood life, and Daphne wanted a home. Daphne Wayans knew she was being dealt a raw hand, and she got herself a top attorney. While Keenen enjoyed life with his trophy girlfriend, Daphne took him to court and she came out victorious. A judge ordered Keenen to buy Daphne a multi-million dollar home so she could raise his children. She also got 50 percent of his business because she was with him in the beginning when he had nothing. He also has to pay child support. Keenen thought he could dump on his wife, but she showed him he would give her respect and his money.

Halle Berry is keeping a close eye on her boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey. He’s a top model. Whenever she can, she accompanies him on his modeling jobs.


The new season of the VH1 reality show Flavor of Love with Rapper Flavor Flav kicks off August 6th on the cable network. This season promises to be just as wild as season one as Flav looks for love. Once again, we have 20 contestants who are outrageous, aggressive and not that attractive. The Flavor of Love TV show gave VH1 their highest rating ever, and they will be rolling out a female version of the show called The Flavorette. A contestant from season one will be chosen as the “Flavorette.” Who will it be, season one winner Hoopz? I hope not. After winning the crown last season, she showed her true colors by dropping Flav and becoming a celebrity Ho, sleeping with any married or hooked up celebrity she could get her hands on. I loved New York. She was hilarious, I wished she would have won. She would have kept the audiences in stitches with her antics. I hear the show will focus on Hottie. She was the girl with the matted blonde weave and poppy eyes. She had no cooking skills when she was asked to prepare a chicken dish. She stuffed the chicken with vegetables and placed it in the oven. This girl was so ditzy, she forgot to turn the oven on and served the dish to Flav’s mother raw. With Hottie as the possible star, I’m not as interested in the follow up. Maybe it will be New York. So far, a casting search is underway for 20 men.

Rapper/Actor LL Cool J has just signed a talent deal with CBS to create a new TV show. Back in the day, LL had a show on NBC called In The House.

Singer Ron Isley wants to thanks his fans for their support this year. Even though he can’t talk about the status of his tax evasion trial, he is grateful for his fans for sticking by him. Isley, who has a young wife and infant child, faces up to 26 years in jail for failing to pay and file taxes and for cashing his dead brother’s royalty checks. Isley’s sentencing date is August 21st.

Natalie Cole is hard at work on a new album. This will be her first new album in four years. Leavin’ arrives in stores on September 26th.

Carmen Electra is shooting down reports that she is dating Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx. Electra says she is still trying to adjust to single life while undergoing a divorce from Rocker Dave Navarro. Foxx is reportedly dating a young British woman named Alexia Colleen. She was with him at the Miami Vice premiere. Now speaking of Foxx, he will be appearing during the 38th season of Sesame Street. Singer John Legend is also scheduled to appear this upcoming season.

Is Oscar Winner Mel Gibson a bigot? The Lethal Weapon- Braveheart star made headlines last week when he was arrested for drunk driving. During his arrest, he went on a tirade that included a lot of hateful comments directed at Jewish people. Gibson is currently in rehab, and has offered an apology to the Jewish community for his hate-filled comments. Gibson has battled a drinking problem for years, and apparently he has fallen off the wagon. Will his career recover? Will he need to do a sit down with Oprah Winfrey to undo the damage he’s done.

Patti LaBelle is hard at work on her new gospel album. The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle features CeCe Winans and Wynonna Judd. Proceeds will go towards cancer research.

Despite evidence of cheating, these couples are staying together. Last week, Pop Star George Michael made headlines when he was caught having sex with an unemployed truck driver in a truck. His life partner, Kenny Goss, says he still wants to marry George.

A Welsh lap dancer had an affair with Actor Wesley Snipes. She says he made love like a Vampire, and he loved her feet. Where is Mrs. Snipes, at home with the kids? She has no plans to leave her husband. Wesley is a mess. He is currently being sued by his former talent agency. They claim he owes them over a million dollars in commission fees. Good luck getting your money! Wesley won’t even pay his taxes.

American Idol Judge Simon Cowell was caught cheating on his girlfriend, Extra Correspondent Terri Seymour. Cowell has been having an affair for the past six months with a 21-year old bi-sexual model. Will Seymour, who’s 32, leave him. No. Despite the public humiliation, she likes being in the spotlight with “Mr. Mean.”

Nicole Richie is starring in her dad’s new video I Call It Love. This new Lionel Richie song is hot. Word has it Nicole and her former best friend Paris Hilton will kiss and make up in September on The David Letterman Show. Richie and Hilton grew up together and found fame on the TV show The Simple Life. Hilton admits they grew apart because of fame. Nicole used to be a dumpy drug addict, but she got it together. Now, she is super skinny and ultra fabulous. Hilton is hard at work on her music career, and they are both gearing up for a new season of their hit show The Simple Life.


Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child is not pregnant. The rumors are false. She is hard at work on a new album that she hopes to release this fall.

Oscar Winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe are filming a new movie in New York called American Gangster. It’s a reunion because 11 years ago, they starred in the movie Virtuosity.

Jennifer Hudson is gearing up for a busy end of the year. The former American Idol contestant will be starring in the Dreamgirls movie with Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. Hudson will play the character “Effie White,” which was made famous by Jennifer Holliday. Hudson also has a new album due out by the end of the year. I hear she does an amazing version of the Jennifer Holliday classic, And I Am Telling You.

She’s been called the Black Martha Stewart, and she wants to be a part of The View. Lifestyle Mogul B. Smith has let it be known she wants to be part of the TV show. She feels she would be a great replacement for Star Jones. I had a chance to sit down with my choice for the show, Actress/Singer/Activist Sheryl Lee Ralph. I think Sheryl would be a great addition to the show. She’s beautiful, smart and talented. Plus, she can hold her own against those ladies. No offense to B. Smith, I love her too. But, Star’s replacement will have to be strong to put up with all those personalities, especially Rosie O’Donnell.

Blair Underwood is returning to TV in the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine. Underwood is going to play “Mr. Singer,” a hunky school teacher. The New Adventures of Old Christine stars Seinfeld alum Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

How hot is Actress Tracee Ellis Ross? Last week, she was with Rapper/Actor Ludacris. This week, it’s Basketball Star Chris Webber of the 76ers.

What’s up with Eva Longoria and Football Star Keyshawn Johnson of the Dallas Cowboys? The Desperate Housewives star is dating Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs. While he’s away playing basketball overseas, she’s been spotted cuddling with the wide receiver from the Cowboys.

Top Plastic Surgeons are urging American Idol Judge Paula Abdul to get a breast lift. Abdul’s implants are sagging, which could be caused by having implants that are too large or dramatic weight loss.

Don’t look for Nona Gaye on the NBC-Law and Order: Criminal Intent TV show. Producers are citing creative differences. Gaye, the daughter of the late Singer Marvin Gaye, was brought in to replace Actor Courtney Vance. Gaye is being replaced by Theresa Randle (Girl 6, Malcolm X, Bad Boys I & II).

The Godfather of Soul James Brown is urging his son-in-law to cooperate with police. His son-in-law, Darren Anthony, is wanted by the cops on charges of rape and issuing bad checks. Two women have come forward with charges against him.

The UNCF will be honoring The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin with their award of excellence during the Evening of Stars telethon. The show airs in syndication in January.

Singer Jody Watley is one of the featured participants on the new Bravo reality show Workout. Now that she has undergone extensive plastic surgery, Watley is working on her body.



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

This TV show had a horrible second season. Poor character choices and silly plots. In a desperate move to get its groove back, the show is going to kill off one of its major characters in a shocking storyline.

A certain group of female celebrities are finding it hard to socialize and hang out with a TV Personality. The TV Personality got booted from her TV show, and many of her friends and associates are gunning for her job. It’s hard to laugh and smile in someone’s face when you want their job.


Congratulations to Actor Sidney Poitier. He’s the 2006 recipient of the Marian Anderson Award. This award is given to an outstanding artist and humanitarian. The awards ceremony takes place in Philadelphia this October. Past recipients include Oprah Winfrey, Harry Belafonte, Gregory Peck, Danny Glover and Ruby Dee and the late Ossie Davis. The ceremony takes place on November 14th.

TV Personality= Star Jones

That was definitely obvious....what did Star expect...for no one to want her job...lol...its all about the money...

sigh.....
 

i first heard this on gma. it saddened me to see women sounding so mean and nasty about something so natural. it is such a shame that we as a society will tolerate half nekkid women on videos, being called out of our name, being disrespected by men, yet we find it disgusting to breast feed--something that many of us benefitted from.

i can appreciate people feeling that it should be done privately. but the reality is, this is normal and shouldnt be scrutinized. after all it is a baby magazine.

I'm glad Fantasia left Simon's mangement group. It did wonders for Kelly. I get tired of (other) people saying "Where's Fantaisa?" I hope Ruben is smart enough to do the same (if he is still with them). And I think the part in the movie they are upset about is true. The AI producers didn't have to do it...they should check the exectives at Fox.

Janet: I'm standing by what I said earier.

Who would want NY or Hottie? :confused: I would like to see Goldie on this show. :)

What is Ron trying to hide? HE WAS CONVICTED!

As I figured out, Kelly's not pregnant. I guess Michelle's going to be next? :rolleyes:

I think the first UB is DH. On the second one, I wouldn't want Star's job.

D'Angelo back in the studio (BV)
 

To The Lab From Rehab

D'Angelo is ready for his close-up -- again.

The neo-soul crooner who put many in a tizzy --by simulating a sex act in his music video for the song 'Untitled' (How Does It Feel) -- is staging a comeback.

'BV Newswire' has learned that the Virginia native, legally known as Michael Eugene Archer, is fresh from a stint at the Antigua outpost of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Centre, where he was drying out from substance abuse.

And he's ready for business.

Angie Stone's "baby's daddy" is in The Big Apple this week collaborating on new tracks with Common and Q-Tip, respectively, for their forthcoming album projects.

The 32-year-old 'Devil's Pie' singer also took meetings with Virgin Records urban music honcho Jermaine Dupri to explore ways to re-ignite his once thriving career. Veteran music executive Gary Harris (with whom he created magic with 1994’s groundbreaking 'Brown Sugar') is said to be working closely with the two-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter. High powered music industry titan Irving Azzoff (Christina Aguilera, Lenny Kravitz, Seal) is also in the mix.

The news of D'Angelo's return to music should be welcome balm to his legion of fans (who helped propel his two studio albums 'Brown Sugar' and 'Voodoo' to platinum sales). His most recent buzz includes run-ins with the law for a 2005 traffic violation and a 2002 charge for assault and resisting arrest.

First Busta with the dreads, now Luda shaves the Afro (BV)
 

Story and pic: http://blackvoices.aol.com/black_new...02112909990001

I thought that I was going to see something outrageous... I can't even describe what I thought I would see, but I figured from the initial descriptions that it would be something shocking. The picture was VERY, VERY tasteful. I LOVE being an American citizen and wouldn't trade it for the world, but more and more I am considering moving overseas so that I can get away from the closed-minded thoughts of Americans.

This is the same country in which Nelly can slide a credit card down a woman's behind, TI can make songs about someone's panties being wet, Brittany Spears and Demi Moore can be BUTT NEKKID on the cover of Vanity Fair, Lil Kim can wear her boob HANGING OUT... YET people are in an uproar about something so simple, natural and special as breastfeeding!!

Where are these poeple EVERY MONTH when King Magazine, Vibe Vixen, FHM, Stuff, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, etc. hit the newstands?? :rolleyes:

Where are these poeple EVERY MONTH when King Magazine, Vibe Vixen, FHM, Stuff, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, etc. hit the newstands?? :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

They are at the newstands salivating....:(

The bible said a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. If you pay attention to what the media tells us, it's no wonder why we are in a state of emergency. The media says, "Shake yo' azz, watch yo'self" and then says, "The showing of the breast is tasteless." No, that baby was hungry and because mama doesn't want jail time for neglect, she must feed it.
This tells women we are classy when we show some assy.:mad: It says we are not valuable until we are nekkid sliding down a pole.:mad: Can't we get some love when we are being nurturing mothers?

Star: I'm not getting a divorce (People.com)
 

Star Jones Reynolds is hitting back against rumors that her marriage to Al Reynolds is on the rocks – and threatening legal action against those responsible for spreading them.

"These categorically false stories and their continuation are clearly being generated by someone for vindictive reasons alone," the former View cohost says in a statement through her rep. "(Star Jones and Al Reynolds') legal representatives have been investigating the source and motivation of these boldfaced lies for some time now and are very close to exposing the individual who has perpetrated them. At which time, appropriate legal action will be taken."

A story in Wednesday's New York Post reported that Jones has been telling friends she's "heartbroken" because her marriage is falling apart. The paper quoted an unnamed source as saying, "Star has resigned herself to the fact that they're not going to spend the rest of their lives together."

However, her rep tells PEOPLE that there is no truth to the divorce rumors.

Jones, 44, and Reynolds, 36 married in 2004 in an elaborate ceremony in which the TV star arrived at the in a wedding white-horse-drawn carriage.

"Every single wedding fantasy I ever had was fulfilled, down to the most handsome groom in the history of the world," Jones told PEOPLE at the time.

^^
Well, I want to see if Soror Starruh and BGA stay married beyond Nov. 13 of this year. Remember, that's when the prenup triggers and Alyoudoin' gets paid.

Usually, when people start saying that they are not getting divorce, there's trouble in paradise. Nick and Jessica were denying it for a year before it acutally happened. But maybe it's true that these rumors are false. But stranger things have happened. :p

"Thou Doth Protest Too Much". When she was questioned about his sexuality before her response was something like we have discussed our pasts and are comfortable with eachother. I don't think that their marriage is going to last past the two year mark.

I think he just married her to get in the limelight. He kills me with the tight pants and the velvet blazers looking like a deer caught in the headlights when he standing around in the background when Star is interviewed on the red carpet. I hope everything works out for them.

^^
Not to mention the madras shorts. When there's that much speculation about your sexual orientation, I'd think that you would make extra effort to look definitely MASCULINE and not overtly groomed, eh?
:p

A Few Post-Hurricane Katrina Updates
 

Post-Katrina, hospitals still struggling
AP - Fri Jul 28, 8:21 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS - You go to the drugstore to refill a prescription and learn the doctor's left town. You spend an extra week in pain because disk surgery isn't an emergency. You're admitted to a hospital, but the rooms are full, so you spend days in ER.

http://news.yahoo.com/fc/US/Hurrican...NlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Despite a City’s Hopes, an Uneven Repopulation
Lee Celano for The New York Times
By SUSAN SAULNY
Published: July 30, 2006

NEW ORLEANS — In McKendall Estates, a prosperous but flooded neighborhood on the east side of the city, the end of the school year meant a summer of frenetic rebuilding.

Barbara Jenkins watched as a mirror was installed in her home in a subdivision of New Orleans East.
A new whirlpool bathtub just arrived at Barbara Jenkins’s house, and beveled mirrors have been installed on her dining room walls. Ms. Jenkins’s neighbors are busy watering their flowers, painting the trim on their houses and accepting deliveries of new appliances. Some houses are so immaculate, with shiny new windows and lush landscaping, that it is hard to imagine the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina 10 months ago.

But much closer to downtown, in the Broadmoor area, Lydia and Charles Wiley are among the few pioneers on their block of South Miro Street. As soon as schools closed for the summer in New York City, where the Wileys had stayed since the hurricane, they brought their three children back to New Orleans. They now live in a trailer outside the home they are repairing.

“A lot of the kids in the neighborhood aren’t back, and I don’t think they’ll be back,” said Ms. Wiley, a sales clerk. “Long term, I think it will pick up. At least, I hope.”
Rest of Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us...rn.html?ref=us

Missing Katrina victims center closing Wed Aug 2, 5:42 PM ET

BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana officials said Wednesday that they are closing the center created to find residents missing after Hurricane Katrina.
Officials and volunteers received reports of 13,400 missing people after Katrina hit Aug. 29, 2005. All but 136 were located.

The Find Family Assistance Center opened Sept. 7 to help find residents scattered across the country in the chaotic evacuations prompted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Officials at the center, overseen by the Department of Health and Hospitals and state police, say they have run out of leads on the remaining missing people. The cases will be given to local law enforcers.

Dr. Louis Cataldie, the state medical examiner, said the center's success rate was better than expected.

Authorities had initially thought several hundred people would never be found because their remains would not be recovered or because they were intentionally avoiding detection by law enforcement or estranged relatives.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060802/...TBiMW04NW9mBHN lYwMlJVRPUCUl


Suicide prevention group is working hard
Stress from Katrina starting to build up

Thursday, August 03, 2006
By Kathy Steffan
Before Katrina, St. Tammany Parish had a suicide rate higher than the national average and the highest in the state.

The nonprofit organization that fights to decrease those numbers is unsure where the parish stands post-Katrina, but in the past several months it has seen an increase in suicides across the parish.

"The loss and trauma from Katrina are starting to build up," said Phyllis Chandler, president of the St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide.

Chandler and other volunteers with STOPS are working harder than ever to provide support and education to community members. They are doing it with the help of a two-year grant received from the Episcopal Church Disaster Recovery Fund.

"The grant provided us with a real boost," Chandler said.

"The funds are being used responsibly and allowing us to put out there what the community needs," she said.

STOPS is using the grant to initiate a group that will serve children who are not only survivors of suicide but survivors of any kind of loss, specifically from Katrina, Chandler said.

The six-week program, titled Stepping Stones, will be led by two licensed therapists and is set to begin in September.

The grant also will be used for a one-on-one counseling program offered two days a week, one in Slidell and the other in Covington. Counseling sessions will be conducted by licensed counselors for individuals or families who have suffered a loss from suicide or from Katrina.

STOPS will offer its last suicide intervention class of the year on Sept. 7 and 8 at the Greater Covington Center, 317 N. Jefferson. The class, offered several times a year, teaches suicide intervention skills training to social workers, teachers, clergy and or concerned citizens.

The class is an intense two-day training session, Chandler said, and will be offered at a reduced rate due to the grant. It also will provide participants with 12 ½ continuing education hours.

Chandler said the grant has also allowed the all-volunteer organization to hire an administrative assistant, which frees up the volunteers to work on other programs in the community such as LOSS, or Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors.

Through LOSS, volunteers are able to work with the St. Tammany Parish coroner's office at the scene of a suicide.

"Our volunteers go to the scene to help the family members suffering from the loss by offering hope and Kleenex," Chandler said.

The LOSS program is in need of caring volunteers, Chandler said. They currently have about nine volunteers who are on call around the clock, she said. "It just takes caring citizens who want to help those who have lost loves ones to suicide," she said.

STOPS also offers a support group called Survivors of Suicide for those who are left behind after a suicide occurs. The support group meets twice a month in Mandeville.

For more information on STOPS or programs being offered contact Robert Freehill at (985) 237-5506.

http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/index.s...330.xml&coll=1


We can't forget about the many displaced people of Hurricane Katrina even though the rest of America moved on.

i agree
 

i started to add what you said to my post but i didnt want to dampen the thread.

thank you...
 

your post is making me tear up. amen!!


They are at the newstands salivating....:(

The bible said a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. If you pay attention to what the media tells us, it's no wonder why we are in a state of emergency. The media says, "Shake yo' azz, watch yo'self" and then says, "The showing of the breast is tasteless." No, that baby was hungry and because mama doesn't want jail time for neglect, she must feed it.
This tells women we are classy when we show some assy.:mad: It says we are not valuable until we are nekkid sliding down a pole.:mad: Can't we get some love when we are being nurturing mothers?[/QUOTE]