Queen Latifah To Host VH1 'Divas' Concert




Queen Latifah will host VH1's annual "Divas" concert, which will air live May 22 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mary J. Blige, Jewel, and Chaka Khan are among the first artists confirmed to perform, with several more expected to be added. This year's event is being titled "Divas Duets" and will feature more artist collaborations than in past years.

"Divas Duets" will raise funds for VH1's Save the Music Foundation, which has donated more than $25 million worth of musical instruments to public schools since 1997. Ticket information was not immediately available at deadline.

Last year's show, "Divas Las Vegas," was headlined by Celine Dion, the Dixie Chicks, Stevie Nicks, Anastacia, and Shakira. The show, which featured the Dixie Chicks and Nicks dueting on the latter's "Landslide" plus Dion and Anastacia's unlikely cover of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long," was released on CD and DVD in October.

Queen Latifah was recently nominated for the best supporting actress Oscar for her role as Matron Mama Morton in "Chicago," an award ultimately won by her co-star, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Latifah can currently be seen starring opposite Steve Martin in "Bringing Down the House."

...including RefinedDiva and OneSavvyDiva in their version of "CELEBRATION" :p

Lasting Love: It looks like the budding romance between Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri, has moved beyond the casual dating stage. "I'm happier than I've ever been," admits Dupri in the May issue of The Source. "Just like me enduring and being in this industry, [our] relationship is a staple." Breaking her silence on the subject, Jackson agreed, simply stating, "He makes me very happy."

Dupri made one request to the magazine, though, "I don't want to pick up The Source and read a headline that says 'Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson: Thug Lovin'."

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Judge Being Sued: Loveable TV arbitrator, Judge Glenda Hatchett could be on the other side of the bench now that a former personal assistant is suing her for unfair dismissal. "She fired me because I was a pregnant white woman," said Robin Rinsler, who filed a $10 million suit in Manhattan federal court. Rinsler's lawyer, Marc Garbar, told the New York Daily News, "Everything was fantastic in Ms. Rinsler's work relationship with Judge Hatchett...until [she] informed her employer she was pregnant." Rinsler apparently first got a demotion and pay cut. She believes her work duties were changed to keep her on her feet, a strategy to make her resign. Rinsler delivered a healthy baby boy in August 2001, but that November, she was allegedly told that "as a white person, [she] could not be sensitive to Judge Hatchett's black issues," and was fired. Garbar said an African-American assistant was subsequently hired. Hatchett is not personally named in the lawsuit, which lists as defendants Sony Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Tri-Star, Entrada Productions Inc. and the "Judge Hatchett Show."

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Things That Make You Say Hmmm!?!: "I believe that every black person has a responsibility. When you do good, everyone is looking at you…every black person," said rapper Jay-Z in the April issue of Playboy Magazine. "So you're the same person as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. I'm not just representing the hood and Roc-A-Fella Records, I'm representing for the whole culture. A lot of people look at me like they looked at Martin Luther King."

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Can't Say Names: What Hollywood actress is extremely frustrated that her movie career has not taken off? Said actress apparently thought her striking good looks and big personality would help win her over with Hollywood directors -- but it hasn't. Side ventures in television, calendars, club appearances, etc., haven't help raise her level of celebrity, nor earn her any major acting roles.


* Looks like another R&B singer has been sent back to the studio to rework several tracks for her upcoming album. This singer, who is releasing her sophomore set, serviced a less-than-stellar single to radio last fall, and despite a remix of the song that came later, it never seemed to catch on. Record executives at said singer's label are now scratching their heads and are trying to come up with a single that will at least help this star earn at least the gold plaque that she got for her debut effort.

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Quickies:

~ Former NBA cross-dresser, Dennis Rodman, is trying to shop a reality show about his life. A rep for Rodman insists that several networks are interested in the hoop star's life and promises it will portray the "weird, wacky world of Dennis Rodman" where "everyday life is just a big party" a la Anna Nicole Smith. Rodman has also offered to return to the NBA, but the league is apparently tired of his act. **SMH @ DENNIS**


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Apr. 8, 2003) K-Ci & Jo Jo found out the hard way what happens when you literally don't handle your business and don't give it up to Uncle Sam. The two are free on bail after being arrested on tax evasion charges.
The two R&B crooners were released from jail Sunday. They're charged with failing to pay taxes to their home state of North Carolina for shows they performed in the state during 1999, 2000 and 2001, said their lawyer, James Williams.

"Both of these young men, as artists, do not handle their own affairs. They were victimized," he said. "The best I can discern, their main problem is that they changed accountants. It's just a matter of paperwork that needs to be filed and money that needs to be sent."

According to press reports, Cedric Renard "K-Ci" Hailey, 33, was charged with two counts of failure to pay taxes for 1999 and 2000. He was released on $287,727 bail. Joel Lamont "JoJo" Hailey, 31, was charged with three counts of failure to pay taxes in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He was released on $370,000 bail.

The two were arrested Saturday night after a Raleigh, NC performance in which they opened for Jaheim and Tank.
**must use all their money to buy their WEED. . . did I tell you those mofos were high when they came to my school and sang in my classroom.

Yes In Deed!!! :D :D

Girl, who is designing your gown? You know we gotta look fly! :D

You negroes need to quit it.

Shaquan from down da skreet has designed you all's gowns. They be ready one hour before the show. :p

Has anyone seen the making of J. Lo's video, "I'm Glad"? It's a mock/remake of "Flashdance." That "B" knows what she is doing by having her assy hanging out all over the place. Come on!! We don't need to be seeing that all the time! I mean, she has a nice size, but you don't have to keep broadcasting it, YET claim that you don't people to just know you because of your body....:rolleyes:

I wonder if I can get a fly body if I work out enough..... Trust me. I'm trying! (But I promise not to have my assy hanging out! I'm a lady!)

I just finished seeing it. J. Lo does has a little bit to much booty hanging out. Especially in that red getup. Is this the song that she wrote for Ben Affleck? I'm suprised that he wasn't in this video as well.

Entertainment - LAUNCH Music

Sean Paul To Tour With 50 Cent
Wed Apr 9,12:00 AM ET

Jason Gelman

Sean Paul has been added to the second leg of 50 Cent's upcoming summer tour. Paul will join the chart-topping rapper on the road starting July 13. 50 Cent is currently on tour with Clipse, and his summer dates with Paul have not yet been announced.



Meanwhile, Paul's single, "Get Busy," is at Number 46 on the Radio & Records CHR/Pop chart.


50 Cent/Clipse tour dates (subject to change):


April 7 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Egyptian Room


April 8 - Morgantown, WV - West Virginia University


April 9 - Norfolk, VA - The Boathouse


April 10 - North Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues


April 12 - Nashville, TN- Gaylord Entertainment Center


April 13 - Birmingham, AL - Boutwell Auditorium


April 14 - Memphis, TN - International Shell


April 15 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Ford Center


April 16 - Valley Center, KS - Kansas Coliseum


April 17 - Tulsa, OK - University Of Tulsa


April 18 - Springfield, MO - Shrine Mosque


April 19 - Lincoln, NE - Pershing Auditorium


April 24 - Brockport, NY - SUNY Brockport


April 25 - State College PA - Bryce Jordan Center





April 26 - Storrs, CT - University Of Connecticut

April 27 - Binghamton, NY - West Gym

May 2 - Newark, DE - University Of Delaware

May 3 - Hartford, CT - Hartford Civic Center

May 4 - Amherst, MA - Mullins Center

May 6 - Boston, MA - Avalon

May 7 - Durham, NH - University Of New Hampshire

May 8 - Portland, ME - Cumberland Civic Center

May 9 - Providence, RI - Dunkin Donuts Civic Center

May 12,13 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre

May 14 - Salem, OR - Salem Armory

May 16 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues

May 17 - La Jolla, CA - RIMAC Arena

May 18,19 - West Hollywood, CA - House Of Blues

Hmm, I might have to start trying to win some tickets to that concert now that my baby daddy Sean Paul will be performing . :cool: :p

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 7, 2003

The Showtime Series ‘SoulFood’ returns on Wednesday, April 9th on Showtime at 10pm.

According to Published reports Oprah wants to take some nude photos and present them to her sweetie Stedman Graham. Oprah turns 50 next January and she wants to give them to him as a present. Oprah is looking for a photographer that she can feel comfortable with. Oprah wanted Famed Photographer Herb Ritts but he died last December.

Producer Jermaine Dupri is coming out with his own clothing line. The line will be called Dupri. Jermaine is dating Janet Jackson and the romance is still going strong.

Queen Latifah will be starring in the movie Beauty Shop and her character will be introduced in Barbershop Two with Ice Cube. Latifah is getting ten million dollars to star in the movie.

D L Hughley is returning to TV. D L will be costarring with Howie Mandel in a series for NBC. (Afrochic's sidenote: Huh? D.L is so not funny on sitcoms. Who put those two together anyway? :confused: )

Amy Dubois Barnet the Editor and Chief of Honey Magazine is leaving the magazine to become the Editor in Chief of Teen People Magazine. Amy will be the first African American Female to head a major magazine at Time Inc. Time Inc is the nations largest magazine publisher.

Congratulations to State Senator, Vincent Hughes and Singer/Actress/Broadway Star Sheryl Lee Ralph they are engaged to be married. The State Senator got down on bended knee and gave his lady a Two Carat ring. No wedding date has been set.

Tyreese’s new movie ‘2 Fast, 2 Furious’ comes out in June. Tyreese is currently topping the charts with the song ‘How You Gonna Act Like That’.

Whitney Houston will be gracing the cover of the July Essence Magazine. She did a photo shoot and sources say she looks fabulous.

I wonder who will get kicked off American Idol this week? Last week Corey Clarkson was removed because he lied to producers about his background. Corey is due in court next week on charges that he beat up his kid sister and resisted arrest when the police arrived. This happened last October and in 2000 Corey was sued by the Walmart store for writing bad checks. Corey was able to get by the background checks because the police report had his name spelled differently. Trencye another American Idol with a criminal past was allowed to stay on the show because she confessed about her 1999 shoplifting arrest. American Idol Judge Randy Jackson is also making headlines his wife’s, first husband claims Randy broke up his marriage. Randy’s wife Erica was married to a man who says he found out his wife was cheating on him when he noticed a new tattoo on her body and she admitted she got it for Randy. Randy and Erica are happily married with two children. He also has a child from a previous relationship.

That's really crazy. Her son goes to my school and I know him. I'll see if I can get the inside scoop on this.

Umm, I'ma need some names before I start passing this gossip along.

I was thinking Lisa Raye for this one. I think I saw her posing for a calendar somewhere :confused: and Lord knows she makes appearances at any and every club that will have her. Let's not even mention that train wreck of a show she had/has with Treach. Her biggest role thus far was Players Club and we all know that's not saying much.

Hot Celebrity News:

The 4th season of “Soul Food” debuts tonight at 10:00 (Eastern & Pacific) on Showtime. The cast and crew are keeping quiet about the new storylines, but we do know that Ahmad will have a lot more coming-of-age drama involving girls. He’s also going to cause some chaos among the family when he starts feeling strange about being in prep school and tries to “go back to the ‘hood.” Tonight’s episode will be followed at 11:00 Eastern by a live Internet chat with Malinda Williams (Bird) and Darren DeWitt Henson (Lem). Log on to www.sho.com.

Michael Jackson reportedly wants to sell his Neverland Ranch, but supposedly no one has been willing to meet his $20 million asking price. According to media reports, Neverland was recently appraised at $12.3 million. Meanwhile, Michael has been shopping for houses in Miami for the last few months. One reason Michael may be trying to move to Miami is that Florida is a "homestead state." That means that they can’t take your house if you get hit with a big financial judgment of some kind. Michael’s been ordered to pay $6 million to a concert promoter for missing two Millennium Eve shows and Jackson is currently in a multi-million dollar legal fight with two former financiers.

Michael Jackson got a standing ovation when he went to dinner at The Forge in Miami with Serena Williams, Chris Tucker and “Rush Hour” director Brett Ratner. Oh, and a gossip writer is reporting that Michael now lets his kids walk around without wearing veils.

Bill Cosby and the classic TV network Nick at Nite are teaming up to create a prime-time animated series inspired by Cosby’s best-selling 1986 book, “Fatherhood.” The show will feature the voice of David Alan Grier as Dr. Bindlebeep, a high school teacher with three kids. This will be the first original series for Nick at Nite which specializes in reruns of great, old TV shows from back in the day (including “The Cosby Show”).

50 Cent is launching his own record label, G-Unit Records, which will be marketed and distributed by Interscope Records. The first release will be the debut from the rap collective G-Unit, which features 50 Cent, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks. The album will be out by the end of the year. 50 Cent promises that G-Unit – the record label and the group – will have a devastating impact on the rap game. 50 said, quote: “I'm not leveling the competition, I'm destroying it."

Jennifer Lopez has her own fashion line but that isn’t stopping her from promoting another designer. Women's Wear Daily reports that Lopez is about to shoot some ads for Louis Vuitton.

Star Jones reportedly went off when ABC refused to let her give a free plug to Payless shoes on "The View." Star is a spokesperson for the low-cost shoe store chain. According to a gossip columnist Star screamed at ABC execs then yelled at her agent, Betsy Berg.

Celebrity Birthdays Today:

1) Keshia Knight Pulliam, Rudy on “The Cosby Show” is 24
2) Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner is 77
3) Cynthia Nixon, Miranda on Sex & The City, is 37
4) actor Dennis Quaid is 49

I hadn't thought about her, but I think that's who it is also. She is always at the club here and I was wondering what was the deal. She's in this city so much making a "guest appearance" at the club, people don't run to the club to see her. Being that she's a so-called celebrity, you would think she would book clubs that aren't so "a la ghet-twa."

Dear Father in Heaven, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!