[CrimsonTide4]

Usher is not going to be a Daddy! He says this was just a rumor. He and his lady, Model Eisha Brightwell, are just enjoying their time together. Usher does have a new watch worth $1 million. The watch is loaded with diamonds, and it features a picture of Usher.

Singer/Songwriter Eugene Record was buried this week. Record co-founded the legendary group, The Chi-Lites. He passed away at the age of 64 after a long bout with cancer. Record co-wrote the classic songs, Oh Girl, Toby and Have You Seen Her. The group hailed out of the windy city of Chicago. Earlier in his career, he married Singer Barbara Acklin, and he wrote her hit song, Love Makes A Woman. In 2003, Beyonce sampled the Chi-Lites' Are You My Woman for her hit song, Crazy In Love.

Terry McMillan's press tour is taking its toll on her. She is on the road promoting her new book, The Interruption Of Everything. McMillan has to promote this book, but her heart is not in it. She warns people in advance: do not ask about her soon to be ex-husband, Jonathan Plummer. Plummer married McMillan despite their 23-year age difference. After six and half years of marriage, he decided to come clean about his sexuality, he's gay. Now he wants spousal support. McMillan says she is tired of talking about him. She says he is an embarrassment to the gay community. She referred to him as a sociopath who charmed his way into her life and lied about everything.

Karin Stafford is the ex-mistress who won't go away. She's the young woman who got involved with the Reverend Jesse Jackson and had his love child. Jackson and Stafford's daughter is now six years old. According to published reports, Little Ashley cries herself to sleep at night because Jesse won't spend time with her. Stafford wants Jesse to spend more time with their daughter, but Jesse is terrified of being spotted in public with the little girl. Jesse is very careful not to make his wife, Jackie, mad. When Jackie gets mad, there is hell to pay. When the scandal first broke, Jackie got a gun and aimed it at Jesse! Thank goodness there was another minister there to intervene. Jackie forgave her husband. She will never leave him because she enjoys being Mrs. Jesse Jackson too much. Plus, she will never step aside and let Karin jump in. Karin thought Jesse would leave his wife and be with her and their child, but Jesse is no fool. It's cheaper to keep her...and live! Karin is not only disappointed in Jesse, but she is also upset with his other five children because they don't acknowledge their little sister. No one wants to make Jackie mad, so they leave it alone. The little girl does receive financial support. Every month, Jackie, yes Jackie, makes out a check to her. Karin says if Jesse can go back and forth to California, help Michael Jackson and everybody else in the world, why can't he step up to the plate and visit his daughter?

Kevin Federline is another one who won't visit his child. Kevin is the husband of Pop Star Britney Spears, and they are expecting their first child in a few weeks. When Federline met Britney, he was dating Actress Shar Jackson. He left her when she was seven months pregnant to be with Britney. Shar and Federline were already the parents of baby girl, and she later went on the have a son. Well, the son, Kaleb, recently turned a year old, and Ferderline was a no-show for the big party. There was no visit, no phone call and no presents! Did Britney make him stay away? He gets an allowance from her. Why didn't he buy a gift? Shar was fit to be tied. How could he do this to her? What about their kids, ages 3 and 1? Is it all about Britney and their new baby? Federline is going to have to play nice with Shar and do the right thing. Or, she is going to hit him where it hurts, in Britney's pocketbook (she has the money). Shar's new dating partner, Director Quentin Tarantino, was also a no-show. Shar has four kids, so he is probably taking it slow with her. Being instant daddy isn't the same as making instant grits!

Is Lionel Richie ready to forgive his cheating ex-wife? Diane Alexander wants to come back home, even though Lionel divorced her. He gave her a $5 million home and a generous alimony. Diane has two kids by Lionel. She first met him when she was in her late teens. Lionel was married to Brenda Richie at the time, but Diane didn't care. She wanted Lionel, and they proceeded to have an affair. Well, Brenda found out and she kicked Diane's butt. She also slapped around Lionel before the cops came and arrested her. Lionel and Brenda divorced and he went on to marry Diane. They started a family, and Lionel hit the road. While Lionel was on the road, Diane got restless and she started fooling around with their close friend, a plastic surgeon. Lionel had no idea what was going on with his wife and his alleged best friend, but the maid spilled the beans and told it all. She told Lionel how the plastic surgeon was wearing his clothes, sleeping in his bed and sleeping with his wife. Lionel was devastated. He blamed himself for being on the road all the time. At the urging of his daughter Nicole, he divorced Diane. Diane and the plastic surgeon did not go on to live happily ever after. The surgeon was from Brazil and he was not registered in the United States. After messing up several celebrity faces, including the wife of Talk Show Host Larry King, he was arrested and charged with fraud. Diane was arrested too and charged with assisting him. She turned states' evidence and got off. Lionel moved on with his life. He even started dating a woman who resembles his ex-wife. Diane has been coming around with the kids, and Lionel is getting weak. They're going away on a family vacation next month. Will he listen to his daughter and stay away? Nicole doesn't like her former stepmother, and she will never forget how she came between her parents. Will Nicole be able to save her dad? Hey Lionel! Remember, once a cheat, always a cheat. Be careful!

Aretha Franklin's son is in trouble again. 47 year-old Edward Franklin has been arrested and charged with stealing a monster bike off a college campus. The bike is worth $400. If convicted of a misdemeanor charge of theft, he faces up to a year in prison. Trouble seems to find this man. Back in 2002, he was a suspect in the investigation of an arson fire that destroyed one of his mother's homes. Isn't he too old for this nonsense?

Missy Elliott wants to give Michael Jackson a makeover. So what does she have in mind? Missy says she would give him some thugged out braids, put him in a wifebeater t-shirt with a pair of jeans and have him wear penny loafers. She says the King of Pop needs some flavor. Missy is up for a lot of awards at this year's 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. The show will air live from Miami on August 28th, and P. Diddy will be hosting. Usher, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child and John Legend are also up for awards.

Vivica A. Fox is ready for her next venture. Starting in September, she is launching a new magazine geared towards African American women called Jolie. Jolie is all about beauty and fashion, and Vivica will write a monthly column and do special celebrity interviews. She's also currently starring on the Lifetime series, Missing.

Why are there so many bootleg copies of John Singleton's movie, Hustle & Flow, on the streets? John produced the movie starring Terrence Howard, and he recently had a meeting with Paramount executives to find out what's up. He wants an investigation to find out who leaked the movie because it came from the top. The bootleg copies on the street are clear and apparently they came from someone who had access to the master of the movie. Thousands of copies have already been pulled from various cities, but as I write, there are bootleg copies still out there. Singleton believes his movie is being sabotaged. He feels his movie is Oscar material, and this bootleg scandal will hurt the film's chances at being considered for an Academy Award. Up next for Singleton, is the upcoming film, Four Brothers with Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese, Andre 3000 and Terrence Howard. Singleton is the director of the movie, and it opens in theatres on August 12th. Let's hope the bootleg copies will not be on the streets at the same time.

Rapper Jay-Z has just signed the next big female singing sensation. Jay-Z is the President of Def Jam Records. He has just signed a 14 year-old to the label who sources say is a cross between Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys. Karina Pasian just signed a seven figure deal to have Jay-Z jump start her career.

At the movies this week, it's Stealth with Jamie Foxx.

Ruby Dee and her husband, the Late Ossie Davis, are going to be the recipients of The 2005 Marian Anderson Award. The gala celebration is taking place on October 24th in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center. The award is given to outstanding artists-humanitarians, and it's named after the Legendary Contralto Marian Anderson, who was born in Philadelphia. Ruby Dee will be on hand for the festivities. Her husband, the Legendary Actor Ossie Davis, passed away in February. The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Great-Soprano Jessye Norman, Jazz Legend Nancy Wilson and previous award winner, Harry Belafonte, will be in attendance.

How did Joe Jackson celebrate his recent birthday? The Jackson family patriarch had a huge party in Berlin. He was surrounded by busty blondes, and he made sure to sign their breasts! So where was the rest of the Jackson clan? Katherine grew tired of Joe's nonsense a long time ago. The kids stay away too, except Jermaine who helped his dad celebrate.

Halle Berry recently took her sweetie, Actor Michael Ealy, on a shopping spree as he prepares for his Showtime series, Sleeper Cell. She brought him thousands of dollars in goodies so he can look good for the start of the show in August. Hey Philly, get ready to see a lot of her ex-husband, Singer Eric Benet, during the month of August…….. details are coming soon.

Oprah Winfrey recently appeared on the ESPY Awards, and she was sporting a new look, straight hair with razor edges. What do you think? I thought it looked like a helmet, too much hair. Either her hair is that thick, or they should take out some pieces. Maybe it's just a summer do. It was too overpowering for her face.

Sly Stone has resurfaced. Back in the late 60's and early 70's, he led the group, Sly and The Family Stone. He is currently overseeing a project, Different Strokes By Different Folks, a compilation of his classic tunes by today's artists. The album is due out September 27th, and its features John Legend, Joss Stone, The Roots, Janet Jackson, Isaac Hayes and Chuck D. Producers Randy Jackson from American Idol and Nile Rogers will help out with the album. Stone, 61, battled a drug addiction for many years, and he is currently living in Beverly Hills.

Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell and Ronnie Devoe are joining forces again as Bell Biv Devoe, and they are hitting the road. Johnny Gill will be joining them as well as Blackstreet and Guy with their own reunion (Teddy Riley, Aaron and Damien Hall). The guys are coming to Atlantic City, September 2nd at Trump Taj Mahal.

Jodeci is also reuniting! They are not only working on a new album, but a new reality show as well. The Very Best Of Jodeci is in stores now. Let's hope this works out for brothers K-Ci and JoJo who have been acting strange with their own road show.

The First Wives' Club is coming to Broadway. The musical is based on the best selling novel and movie that starred Bette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn. The First Wives was about divorced wives who seek revenge on their husbands, who left them for younger women. Legendary Motown Songwriters Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland will be composing the score for the musical, and Queen Latifah is being considered for a starring role.

Actress Anne Marie Johnson is joining the cast of the Disney show, That's So Raven. The show is entering its fourth season, and will feature Johnson playing a fashion designer who offers Raven a job.

What's going on between Mariah Carey and Chris Tucker? Why were they kissing and cuddling each other? It's all acting. They are just playing lovers in her new video, Shake It Off.

The Luther Vandross tribute album is coming out on September 20th. To Luther With Love will feature Mary J. Blige on Never Too Much, Celine Dion on Dance With My Father, plus Luther favorites from Fantasia, Ruben Studdard, Monica and Angie Stone.

He's dating the hottest female on the planet, but Jermaine Dupri says he doesn't feel appreciated as a producer. He believes he's not getting his props despite his work with some of the industry's biggest stars. He's going to be the executive producer of Janet's new album. She needs a hit. Jermaine, get her a Grammy and I bet you'll get your props then!

Model and Makeup Maven Iman is publishing a book on beauty for young people of color. The book called, The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide For Skin Of Color, comes out in October. The former supermodel and wife of Rocker David Bowie recently turned 50.

Where is Singer Whitney Houston? This is the question her family is asking. Whitney is out of rehab, but she is not keeping in contact with her family. A lot of people were surprised that she would miss the funerals of Luther Vandross and her aunt, Lee Warrick. Lee is the mother of Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, and the oldest sister of Whitney's mom, Cissy Houston. Lee Warrick died at the age of 85, and she was seen as the matriarch of the family. Why would Whitney skip these two important funerals? Luther was a labelmate and friend to Whitney, and Lee was her aunt. Sources say Whitney is still mad at her mom for putting her in rehab and taking custody of her daughter Bobbi Kristina. When you see Whitney on the reality show, Being Bobby Brown, it was before her stint in rehab. Her mother probably saved her life. How long can she stay mad at her mom?