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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