BV Buzz 7/10--News on the Essence Festival and Star (Part II)
 

Pure Essence

It was the must-see performance of the Essence Music Festival. Everybody wanted to see the New Edition/Bobby Brown reunion show at the Reliant Stadium in Houston. The quintet hit the stage decked out in white suits and ran through an abbreviated version of their concert set before being joined by Brown on the song "Mr. Telephone Man." The crowd went berserk, despite Whitney Houston's husband sloppily performing the group's choreography and opting to freestyle occasionally doing those signature moves of his own.

Brown left the stage and New Edition performed many of their other hits, including songs by Johnny Gill ("My, My, My") and BBD ("Poison"). After a gospel-like rendition of the classic ballad "Can You Stand The Rain," Gill addressed the rumor trafficking about his personal life.

"Without you guys and without God first in our lives, we wouldn't be standing in front of you. We've been through some ups and we've been through some downs, and the devil is always busy. But I know God can do anything but fail. You're looking at the proof in front of you right now. Twenty-three years we've been lied on and people tried to assassinate our character, but I just want you to know tonight that if God is for you, who else can be against you? Those of you who have tried to knock me down and my brothers down, just want you to know that we're covered with the blood. God said that if you stand still He will make your enemies your footstool. If somebody knows what I am talking about, say, 'Yeah,'" preached Gill, while the almost 69,000 people in attendance cheered "Amen" and "alright."

The group left the stage to a roaring standing ovation. The self-proclaimed King of R&B followed the group with his own solo set that began with "Don't Be Cruel." He maintained the momentum that his former group mates held initially, but about mid-way through things just fell apart. Brown cut some songs short-"I don't have much time, let's get to the next one"-and opted to gyrate more often than he attempted to growl through songs like "Every Little Step." Brown seemed discombobulated and overwhelmed on the huge Reliant stage. To make matters worse, Brown came out of his shirt and let's just say his six-pack was more like a keg.

After running way long and losing the crowd, Brown left the stage. His band began playing "My Prerogative" as the curtain began to come down. Brown then headed back toward center stage singing his most popular tune. Just as the curtain hit the stage, Brown lifted it up and sang the lyrics: "They say I'm crazy/ I really don't care/ That's my prerogative." It was almost as if it was staged-but I promise it wasn't-and the crowd went crazy! But apparently the stage director was not amused and, about two minutes into the song, cut the sound on Brown and his musicians-who continued to play despite the curtain closing. Brown threw his hands up as the crowd cheered and laughed hysterically.

Several mainstream media outlets are reporting that Brown was booed off stage. Not true at all. While people did lose interest, and maybe some individuals booed, there was no collective booing that forced Brown off stage. Additionally, I have to say that Brown's performance on Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage cruise several weeks ago was actually great, and he seemed to be in better shape then. What a difference a month makes.

Additional Essence Notes:

Chevrolet rolled out its new advertising campaign for its cars and trucks during the Essence Festival. The new Chevy promos feature Tamia, Omarion and Slum Village in print, radio and television spots. Both Tamia and Slum Village were on hand to sign autographs and participate in a host of private Chevy events. "I'm happy to be working with the Chevy brand," Tamia told me.

Chris Brown was bumped from the main stage to the Coca-Cola Super Lounge after his flight was delayed and it was determined he would not make it in time to open Sunday's show. Kindred The Family Soul was put in his place and performed for what was likely their largest audience ever.

Actor-choreographer Darrin Henson ('Soul Food') wowed festival guests that stopped by the Coca-Cola booth by teaching the crowd a dance routine. Henson even taught yours truly how to do that Atlanta snap dance. Actress Elise Neal hosted the Coca-Cola booth-she subbed for Nick Cannon, who took ill and couldn't fly. Neal also hosted a listening party at Hotel Derek for her new R&B group Assorted Flavors.

Minister Louis Farrakhan turned Reliant Center into Fort Knox the day of his speech. The expo hall and the seminar began one hour late, while Farrakhan's security team performed bomb searches. The controversial Muslim leader had 15 bodyguards who surrounded him throughout the day. Bomb-sniffing dogs were escorted throughout the convention center, men and women were not allowed to sit together during the panel sessions, and metal detectors were put on all of the doors. Men in bowties and women wearing head wraps searched purses and packages at the entrance way. Publicist Simone Smalls seemed to get frustrated as three different people searched through her bag. "What are you going to find that the person right next to you didn't find already?" She asked the third NOI worker who searched through her Fendi bag. Forget the Essence Festival, the Nation of Islam should take over security at the airports.

Keyshia Cole sported a bright red hickey on her neck when she opened the show on Monday night. I guess she made up with her boyfriend Young Jeezy.

Toni Braxton got a little more than she bargained for when she brought some men onstage for audience participation during her performance. One guy began rubbing her thighs and then slipped his hand between her legs as the mother of two gave him a lap serenade. Another overzealous fan attempted to rush the stage when Braxton asked for someone to sing along with her. Security quickly escorted him out. And by the way, if anyone knows Braxton and can deliver her a message, please tell her that the inaudible act just ain't cute anymore. I know I joke and say she's the daughter of Anita Baker and James Brown, and AOL Black Voices' Marcus Vanderberg has nicknamed her Mumbles, but if people can't understand what you're saying on stage, then what's the point?

'Queen of Comedy' Mo'Nique was in, uh, rare form during the festival. Following Yolanda Adams's performance on the opening night, Mo'Nique hit the stage and said: "That b-h can sing! All I'm saying is that b-h can sing!" She later called Rev. Jesse Jackson a "pimp." The look on his face was priceless!

Jaheim showed his fans what he really thinks of them. After showing up more than an hour late for his meet and greet, the disheveled looking singer did a three-minute walk through, waving to fans and never stopping to sign autographs and take photos like the other festival performers.

Sean "Diddy" Combs cancelled on the Essence Festival a few weeks before the show. Sources say he asked for more money, but I'm told he hadn't put a show together and just wanted out. Nonetheless, he was replaced with Doug E. Fresh and the Pioneers of Hip-Hop. The crowd was wowed by performances by Biz Markie, MC Lyte, Yo Yo, Dana Dane, Slick Rick, Geto Boys, The Sugarhill Gang, Black Sheep, Whodini and others.

Main stage host Jonathan Slocumb sported suits by Sean John nightly. The comic ran into Diddy in an Atlanta airport and approached him about dressing him for the festival. "He looked at me up and down-I was donned in a Tayion Collection pinstriped suit-and gave me his personal office number to call him for fitting and instructions. Weeks later a box of Sean Jean suits was at my doorsteps," Slocumb told me.

Jennifer Holliday sang her hit "And I Am Telling You" before the seminar attendees on Monday. The R&B veteran belted the song out so hard they asked her to sing it a second time.

Author turned radio host Michael Baisden was on hand for a meet and greet at the McDonald's booth. Actor Idris Elba ('The Wire') deejayed at the booth, and R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn made an appearance as well.

Absolut's Level Lounge was the hotspot every night during the festival. The premium luxury vodka maker had pool tables made of ice and offered free massages in the suite. Everyone from Slim Thug to Yolanda Adams (no, she didn't drink anything) and Keyshia Cole passed through the suite that was coordinated by Jody Miller and Pamela Lipshitz of JLM PR, Inc.

Among the other performers, presenters and folks just hanging out during the festival were: activist Kevin Powell, Rev. Al Sharpton, Karrine Steffans, Christopher "Play" Martin of Kid & Play, Jill Scott, Common, Shemar Moore, Matthew Knowles, Terrence Howard, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, comic Pierre, Cedric The Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Musiq, The Brand New Heavies, Goapele, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, C.O.C.O. Brown & The Phat Cat Players, Charlie Wilson, Earth Wind & Fire, Jamie Foxx, Lenny Kravitz, Wendy Williams, LL Cool J, Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Dikembe Mutombo, Iyanla Vanzant and Danny Glover.

Next year, the Essence Music Festival will return to its original home in New Orleans. Apparently the festival has signed a four-year deal to return to the Big Easy.


Star Perks

Last week, the BV Buzz featured our exclusive interview with Star Jones Reynolds and detailed her exit from 'The View,' addressed her marriage to Al Reynolds, and talked about her weight loss. During Jones Reynolds' most intimate and personal interview to date, I also asked her about the fallout at 'The View' over her wedding. I wanted to know if Jones Reynolds had ever been admonished for the freebies scandal surrounding the wedding and if she felt things got out of control.

"Oh absolutely," began the former Payless spokeswoman. "Some people took advantage of being affiliated with me and started dropping their own items to promote their own products. I mean, that happens when you're affiliated with celebrities. ABC wanted to basically wash their hands of it. But you need to know, we had an agreement. It's not like I did anything that they didn't know about on the air. All of that's not…it just didn't happen. We came to terms on how we were going to handle it on the show and what segments we were going to do and how they were going to make the phone calls and what I had to say to make sure I stayed with the agreement. They didn't like that I used, and some people would say abused-and I have to take responsibility for that-my celebrity as it related to my wedding planning. I mean, honestly, I have to take responsibility for that. 'Cause I did use my celebrity. I absolutely used it. In hindsight, it was obnoxious to some people. I agree. They said to me we have to back off on this. I said, 'I respect that 100 percent.' Everything that they promised, I made good on. Everything that the network and I promised, I made good on it. Every time I mentioned something on 'The View' about the wedding, it was with the complete knowledge and the approval of my producers. But ultimately the negative media coverage created a great deal of stress for my employer, and even though the ratings were some of the best we had had during that time. 'Cause clearly they didn't mind the good ratings, with all the mean and negative publicity, they didn't mind the good rating. But the network did wash its hands of the whole thing because of the negative publicity and the way I used my celebrity. I was too caught up in the moment to see that lines were being drawn in the sand. So I've got to take responsibility for that, and I do!"


Buzzworthy

Former 'It's Showtime at the Apollo' host KiKi Shepard will host her fourth Celebrity Bowling Challenge to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease. This year's event will honor Paizley Jenkins, who underwent the painful and dangerous bone marrow transplant surgery to hopefully cure her Sickle Cell. The Celebrity Bowling challenge will take place July 15 at the PINZ Entertainment Center in Studio City, Calif. Among the celebrities confirmed are Jackeé Harry, Victoria Rowell, S. Epatha Merkerson, Jenifer Lewis, Michael Colyar, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil' Zane, Valarie Pettiford, Dulé Hill, Hattie Winston, Kym Whitley, Miguel Nunez, Chico Benymon, Loretta Devine and Jesse L. Martin.


Can't Say Names…

Which Essence Festival performer from two years ago almost had a panic attack after an accidental encounter with Ronald McDonald? Sources say that said entertainer's camp gave specific instructions to festival organizers to keep their client as far away from the fast food mascot as possible because of his extreme fear of clowns. Upon the entertainer's arrival at the arena in New Orleans, said performer's limousine pulled up right behind Ronald McDonald's. When the singer saw Ronald, he freaked out and refused to go onstage, and it took him more than 30 minutes to gain his composure. He finally agreed to perform. Frankie Bevelry, Prince, Sinbad, Eddie Levert or Donnie McClurkin

No suprise.

AP's take on What's Next For Star
 

Now that the smoke is clearing from her abrupt departure from "The View," Star Jones Reynolds is trying to see if she has a future in television.

She's appearing this week as a guest host on HGTV's top-rated show, "House Hunters," a booking made before she left "The View." Reynolds said two weeks ago she was leaving the daytime chat show because ABC wasn't renewing her contract, drawing the anger of show creator Barbara Walters when the announcement wasn't planned in advance.

ABC said it cut Reynolds loose because its research showed her extreme weight loss and highly publicized wedding turned viewers off.

"She became a headstrong diva who lost her way and lost her audience by becoming this self-involved star," said Tom O'Neil, senior editor at In Touch Weekly. "If she taps what made her successful before, she can become successful again."

In Touch Weekly reported this week that both CNN and Fox News Channel have approached Reynolds about hosting jobs.

However, Fox News spokeswoman Irena Briganti said the network had no discussions with Reynolds and has "no interest" in hiring her. CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said there have been no conversations with Reynolds, although she didn't rule out the possibility in the future.

Reynolds' spokesman and agent declined comment on her future job prospects.

Reynolds' recent appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" was an eye-opening indication of the curiosity attached to the story of her exit from "The View." King's interview drew 3 million viewers, nearly triple what his show normally gets.

CNN quickly reran the interview at least twice including less than 24 hours later in direct competition with "The View."

Reynolds also had an impact on "House Hunters," according to Nielsen Media Research. Her debut Monday lifted the show's ratings 36 percent over what it had been averaging this year.

While HGTV has no immediate plans to use Reynolds again, "we wouldn't rule it out," said network spokeswoman Cindy McConkey.

Reynolds, a lawyer, began her television career in 1991 as an analyst for Court TV, quickly parlaying that into a similar role at the "Today" show. She worked as a correspondent for "Inside Edition" and had her own syndicated show, "Jones & Jury," which lasted one season.

That shouldn't be held against her, since there's a high failure rate in the syndication market, said Bill Carroll, an expert in that area for the ad-buying firm Katz Television.

Carroll said he can see Reynolds working in cable television, probably as a legal analyst.

"You can't have that kind of a profile and the awareness that she has and not have someone out there trying to take advantage of it," he said.

Before her recent problems, Reynolds appealed to many women who felt like they were misfits, O'Neil said.

At the very least, in a reality television world that can make stars of former "Brady Bunch" actor Christopher Knight and hip-hop performer Flavor Flav, there may be a role there, too. In Touch said she's being considered for celebrity judge slots on reality shows.

BET cancels Uncut
 

I'm surprised no one posted this -

BET Cancels 'Uncut' Television Program
By EbenGregory and Remmie Fresh
Date: 7/10/2006 1:20 pm

"BET Uncut," a music video program from Black Entertainment Television, has been canceled after a six year run on the entertainment television network.

The show was discontinued by BET executives, according to sources, and the last episode aired last Friday (July 8) in a finale hosted by rapper/producer Jermaine Dupri.

Infamous for scantily-clad women and sexual themes, "BET Uncut" featured from well-known Hip-Hop and R&B artists that were intended for mature audiences only. Because of its titillating content, the show was rated TV-MA and had been deemed unsuitable for children under the age of 17.

The show made headlines in 2004 after various African-American women's groups protested because of the portrayal of women when "Tip Drill" became a standout video. In the video, Nelly, The St. Lunatics and David Banner indulge in sexual folly with strippers and at the climatic point, Nelly swipes a credit card between a woman's buttocks. The backlash eventually forced the Nelly to cancel a bone marrow drive on Spelman College, a historically Black women's college in Atlanta. Fans of "BET Uncut" have already started an petition to have the show put back on the air.:mad:

*hijack*
Why is The Real World in its 17th season? Who still watches it? What happened to Julie from the first season?

*/hijack*

I didn't know that they canceled Uncut. Probably because I don't watch BET that much anymore. I also heard that Comic View may also be on the chopping block.

I still watch it,barely. The people on this season SUCK!! Last I heard Julie was married with several kids. Heather B. is on XM Radio. She has her own show.

I watched the first few minutes of this season and gave up. I don't know if age is catching up to me or they were just that boring.

I'm glad Heather B. is still doing her thing. The only one I still hear about from season 1 is Kevin.

Patti Jackson's 411 for July 10th
 

Grammy Award-winning Producer Dallas Austin has a lot of people to be thankful for, but Supermodel Naomi Campbell is not one of them. Austin made headlines a few weeks ago when he was arrested for smuggling drugs into an Arab country. He was on his way to a party for the supermodel when he was arrested. Austin was in jail for a month before anyone realized what was going on. He has produced everyone from Michael Jackson to Madonna to TLC and Boyz II Men, to name a few. The movie Drumline was based on his life. He faced a lengthy jail term, and he needed the help of powerful people to get him out of trouble. Everyone assumed Naomi would come to his rescue. After all, he was bringing the drugs to her party. Naomi let him rot in jail even though she has close connections and friends in the Arab country of Dubai. She did not lift a finger, and her party went on as planned. Austin was later released after pleading guilty, getting sentenced to four years in jail and then receiving a pardon. So if Naomi let him sit in jail, then who got Dallas out? He can thank Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, Producer Quincy Jones, Singer Lionel Richie and Songwriter Denise Rich, to name a few. They came to his rescue and helped him get out of jail. Austin realizes that he made a foolish mistake smuggling drugs. He could have ruined his career and his life. Naomi Campbell should be ashamed of herself. She has proven herself to be a selfish, mean-spirited witch. She stays in trouble. When she is not attacking her help, she is stabbing someone in the back. Karma is something else, and it will not be pretty when it comes back to her.

Last week, I asked for your comments about the romance between Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri. I asked if the romance would last if her new album, which he is helping to produce, wasn’t a hit. Well, you all responded. 85 percent of you feel their love is for real, and that their romance will survive even if her latest album does not do well. Janet has been superbusy. Her new album, 20 Years Old, is coming out this fall. She has her body in tip-top condition as she prepares for the release and her upcoming wedding to Jermaine. Jermaine feels she is obsessing over her weight. He liked her with some meat on her bones, but Janet says she wants to be a beautiful bride, and she wants to be slim. They are currently meeting with wedding planners for their big day. Thanks for the responses.

Debbie Rowe is broke. The former Mrs. Michael Jackson says she is on the verge of bankruptcy. Michael Jackson cut off her money a couple of years ago when he got mad at her for giving an unauthorized television interview. Debbie is fighting Michael in court over custody of their two children, Prince and Paris. Debbie signed away her rights to her children for millions of dollars, but a judge recently granted her rights back. Debbie says she needs $50 thousand in legal fees immediately and $195 thousand to fight Michael in court. Debbie says she wants her children back, and she will represent herself in court if she has to. When Rowe signed away her rights she was promised $8.5 million, but Michael has only given her half of that. She feels Michael has not lived up to their agreement. At the moment, she is only allowed to see her children once every 45 days between the hours of 10am and 7pm. Prince and Paris have no idea Debbie Rowe is their mother. They think their Nanny Grace is their mother.

One of the founding members of The Commodores has died. Milan Williams passed away over the weekend. Williams, 59, had been battling cancer. Williams was a keyboardist for the group, and he co-wrote the songs Machine Gun, Too Hot To Trot and Brickhouse. He left The Commodores in 1989 because he did not want to perform in the then apartied-ruled South Africa with the rest of the group. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.

Will action star Jackie Chan be ready to film Rush Hour III? Filming starts in a few weeks. He re-teams with Chris Tucker, but his close friends are worried about his health. Chan has been drinking a lot, and he recently made a spectacle of himself back home in Hong Kong. Chan was attending a concert, and he had too much too drink. He was enjoying himself, and he decided to jump on stage and perform with the singer. Needless to say the singer didn’t know what to do, so he just let Chan carry on until he was pulled off stage. Reps for Chan insist the action star was just having a little fun, but, could Chan be masking a more serious problem?

Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx graces the cover of the latest issue of Essence magazine . His new movie, Miami Vice with Colin Ferrell, arrives in theatres on the 28th. The movie is based on the hit 80’s TV show.

At the movies, it’s Little Man with Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The movie also stars Actress Kerry Washington, and is directed by big brother Keenen Ivory Wayans.

Countess Vaughn is showing off her butt. Vaughn is best known as “Kim Parker” on The Parkers TV show. She recently made history as the only contestant to participate in VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club and never lose a pound. Vaughn recently added more rump to her rear when she had a butt implant. Vaughn wanted a more rounded rear, and she is showing it off in King Magazine.

Speaking of VH1, the cable network has two big premieres on August 6th. The new season of Celebrity Fit Club will feature Neo-Soul Songstress Angie Stone among this year’s contestants.

On the same night, the new season of VH1’s Flavor of Love, with Flavor Flav, premieres with brand new contestants taking a shot at true love with the former Public Enemy rap star.

Oprah Winfrey is ringing in the New Year 2007 in South Africa. Oprah will be on hand for the grand opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Oprah has invited 100 of her closest friends for the celebrity-filled extravaganza. Invited guests include President Nelson Mandela, best buddy Gayle King, Oscar Winner Julia Roberts and John Travolta, to name a few.

The Emmy Awards air on NBC August 27th. Conan O’Brien will be hosting. The Shonda Rimes-ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy is leading the pack with 11 nominations, and Alfre Woodard, despite a disappointing storyline, got an Emmy nomination for her work in Desperate Housewives.

Actor Courtney B. Vance is leaving NBC’s Law & Order: Criminal Intent TV show. Vance is married to Actress Angela Bassett, and he is going to be replaced by Nona Gaye. She is the daughter of the late Singer Marvin Gaye.

Gil Scott Herron is back in jail. The 56-year old musician/poet/singer has been sentenced to 2-4 years in jail for violating a plea deal on a drug charge. Herron is best known for the hits The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, The Bottle and Johannesburg. Herron violated the plea deal when he left a drug treatment center. Herron claims he left the facility because they refused to give him his HIV medicine. Herron who is known as the founding Father of Hip Hop is HIV positive.

Is it love? Romance is in the air between Eddie Murphy and Former Spice Girl Mel B, a.k.a. “Scary Spice” of the Spice Girls. The two have been dating a few weeks. Will she be the next Mrs. Murphy? Eddie was dating Entertainment Reporter Shaun Robinson from Access Hollywood. Robinson had been dating Eddie for seven months, and she assumed they were exclusive. But, sadly, Shaun was the last to know that Eddie had already moved on with the former Spice Girl.

Brian McKnight will be teaming up with Jill Scott on his new album, 10. McKnight will be making his Warner Brothers debut when the album is released this fall.

The Denzel Washington movie, Inside Man, is coming out on DVD August 8th. The movie was directed by Spike Lee, and also stars Jodie Foster and Clive Owen.

Raven Symone is gearing up for her next Cheetah Girls TV movie. The Disney film, The Cheetah Girls in Spain, will air on the Disney Channel August 25th, and then will air on the Family Channel Sept. 1st.

Fantasia and The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin are joining forces for a song that will appear on both of their new releases.


Cedric The Entertainer is coming to HBO. Cedric’s comedy special, Take You Higher, featuring his sexy dancers, “The Cedibles,” will air July 15th on HBO.


Houston is a great city, but the Essence Music Festival is returning to its home roots in New Orleans. Essence Music officials recently signed a 4-year deal that will have the annual music festival in the Big Easy through 2010. Houston is spread out, and many festival goers were frustrated as they tried to get around to the many events that were being offered.


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

This group of African American Actresses and Singers are tired of being used for publicity purposes by a certain Hollywood Star. Yes, he’s got the awards and hot movies, but these women are sick of being photo props for this man. He’s not into sistas. He prefers white women. He appears in public with sistas for appearances sake, but his cover is about to be blown because certain Actresses and Singers are tired of being used and are starting to complain.

This Hollywood Actress is known for her one hit movie. In a recent career move, she decided to pose nude in a famous men’s magazine. She looks incredible for her age, but she should have taken into consideration that she is a mother. Her children, a preteen and a young child, are being teased in school by their friends because she decided to take it off. The pictures are all over the web, and their friends have the pictures.

I think..

^^^^
On the money! :D

Naomi's karma is going to hit her like two tons of bricks coming her way.

Dear Debbie: Michael is broke too!

Courtney Vance is probably leaving because he has to travel back and forth from NY to LA. And being a new dad, that's not cool. But Nona? :confused:

Eddie and Scary Spice? :confused:

I can't wait to hear the Fantaisa/Aretha duet! I heard Fantasia and Ruben are suppose to have a duet too. :D

yep, and i was there!!!! WITH MY CAMERA!!!! Idris is sexy as hell and when i went to get a picture OF him, he said to take a picture WITH him. his manager tried to trip and push me out the way. before i could take my earrings off and cut that dude down to size, Idris was like "chill man. we just taking a picture." sooooo... i think that means that Idris wants to marry me. what yall think? :D

laurie ann, the original boom-boom-kak was there too. my l.s. was hosting the booth so i hung behind the curtains with her and got a chance to talk to laurie ann. she's mad cool and i told her that i always make sure that my boom-boom kaks. she laughed.

Yes, I hear Jamies likes white women.

Only because I wasn't there....:p

Who are his props?