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Actor Terrence Howard has some issues and he’ll be the first to admit it. Instead of working through his problems with a psychiatrist, Howard uses his profession to cope with his internal troubles. “I act because of a selfish reason. I don’t act because I am trying to save the world. I act because its therapy for me to work out my own personal demons. People ask, ‘Is that why you play all of these dark characters?’ Yes! If I can lead these little dark characters into a lit place, then I know for myself that I am headed into a good place,” he explained over a cup of tea at Essex House Hotel in New York City.

The on-the-job rehabilitation seems to be paying off as 2005 was the biggest year of Howard’s career. Supporting roles in ‘Crash,’ ‘Lackawanna Blues,’ ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ and ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ have garnered rave reviews as well. His first leading role as DJay in the Sundance Award winner ‘Hustle & Flow’ is generating Oscar buzz.

How does the Oscar talk make Howard feel? “You get a diploma when graduate high school and when you finish college. As a doctor, can that diploma save a life? No it can’t, but that diploma becomes a physical manifestation of all of your hard work and it reminds you of your commitment to your craft. “

While Howard sores professionally, his personal life has been as dramatic as one of the films he’s appeared in. During the Sundance Film Festival this past January, Howard was elated that his then-estranged wife Lori--they were married 14 years--had kissed him for the first time in six years. “That drowned out even the standing ovation (for ‘Hustle & Flow’),” Howard said then. The following month in New York City at the premiere for ‘Lackawanna Blues,’ Howard shared that he and Lori had just renewed their wedding vows.

Shortly after ‘Hustle & Flow’ opened in July, Howard’s wife confessed she was in love with her high school sweetheart. The two split amicably and Howard met Dayanara Torres Delgado (ex-wife of Latin singer Marc Anthony, who married his current wife, Jennifer Lopez, four days after divorcing Delgado). The actor came clean at the 2005 Diversity Awards in Nov., where he received the Renaissance Artist Award, an announced on the red carpet that he and Delgado are dating. He even phoned Delgado from his cell phone to warn her he’d gone public with their romance. "I just told a television reporter about us. I told the whole story. I love you," he exclaimed.

According to syndicated gossip columnist Liz Smith, Howard felt compelled to disclose the news because he and Delgado had been dating secretly for four months and he didn’t want to continue to hide the romance. "She went through so much over Marc Anthony. I don't want her to have to have a secret," he explained.


Mogul Moves

Singer-actor Tyrese Gibson launched his new recording studio Headquarter Entertainment with a celebrity-filled bash at the Hollywood-based production house. Located in the Edmonds Entertainment Building, Headquarter Entertainment is not only a recording studio, but a production company that is producing the soundtrack to Gibson’s upcoming Focus Features film ‘Waist Deep’ among other projects.

During the grand opening, Gibson showcased music from his ‘Alter Ego’ album--a double-CD set where Gibson sings on one disk and raps under his alias Black Ty on the other. Eddie Murphy, Johnny Gill, Jill Tracey (NBC's ‘Starting Over’), Nate Dogg, 3rd Storee, Lil' Zane, Jazsmin Lewis (‘Barbershop’), Kel Mitchell (‘One On One’), rapper Yo Yo, music producers The Underdogs, Coolio, DJ D-Wrek (MTV's ‘Wild ‘N Out’), Lamman Rucker (‘All My Children’), Jamaal Munnerlyn (‘Access Hollywood’), Teck Money (‘Real World’), Texas Battle (‘Coach Carter’), MC Lyte and comic DeRay Davis were all in attendance.


Buzzworthy

‘America’s Next Top Model’ finalist Mercedes Scelba-Shorte has landed a leading role in the upcoming 'X-Men 3' movie. The model is in final negotiations to play the role of M in the sequel, which is being directed by Bret Ratner (‘Rush Hour’).

Veteran soul crooner-actor Isaac Hayes is about to be a father—again. The 63-year-old entertainer and his new wife are expecting a new baby in April. This will be Hayes’ 12th child and his first in nearly 18 years. Hayes was one of the stars of last year’s ‘Hustle & Flow.’

Gospel veteran Vanessa Bell Armstrong has inked a new recording contract with EMI Gospel. The newly-svelte Detroit-bred psalmist, famous for belting the “Shine On Me” theme song for the sitcom ‘Amen,’ has been without a record deal since Tommy Boy Record disband it gospel division in early 2002.

Honorees for the 2006 Trump Awards have been announced and include Vivica A. Fox, Usher, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dr. Keith L. Black, businessman Lorenzo D. Creighton, Rev. C.T. Vivian and Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears. Special Awards will also be given to Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Global Award), Stevie Wonder (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. (President’s Award). The Trump Awards tape at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, on Jan. 23 and air on both TV One and TBS.

BV Scene

'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard greeting rapper Cee-Lo Green at the baggage claim area of the William B Hartsfield International Airport... Prince chatting away with singer Goapele in the VIP area at the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood just minutes before Lyfe Jennings went onstage... Samuel L. Jackson sauntering down Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles before getting into a burnt-orange Masarati... Music producer Swizz Beatz having lunch with a beautiful Asian woman poolside at the W Hotel in Westwood, Calif… ‘Martin’ star Carl Anthony Payne dining with actor Todd Neal at the Hard Rock Café on Peachtree Street in Atlanta.


Can’t Say Names…

Rumors are abound that a certain R&B darling is suffering from a terrible bout with depression. The buzz is that said singer has been admitted to the hospital several times in the last two months, depressed about her struggling music career and some shoddy developments with her business affairs. Apparently her stress-relieving bad habit hasn’t helped her cope with her most recent emotional misery. (I don't know who it is!)