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Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of March 5th, 2007

Chris Rock says everything is alright in his household, and he loves his wife very much. Chris has a new movie, I Think I Love My Wife coming out on March 16th. As he makes the press rounds, he is being asked about his wife. For the past ten years, Rock has been married to Malaak Compton. She is the mother of his two young daughters. The marriage has seen its shares of ups and downs with cheating, paternity tests and models. Late last year, Chris filed for divorce and mysteriously withdrew the petition. Did Chris change his mind because a divorce could hurt his new movie? Rock responds: Heck no! Rock says marriage can be challenging, but he loves his wife. He says he no longer cheats because he is tried of getting caught. Rock says he and Malaak and their young family are very happy. He says he has no plans to break up his family.

The Jennifer Hudson Backlash has begun. Fame has two sides. One side loves you, and the other will burn you. The Oscar winner has made an enemy for life with Designer Andre Leon Talley. Talley took Hudson under his wing and gave her a new style. He even got her on the cover of Vogue magazine. Then came The Academy Awards and the hideous dress he encouraged her to wear. The next day, despite winning an Oscar, she was the butt of many jokes because of that outfit. Hudson revealed she didn’t want to wear it, but she caved into Talley’s pressure. Talley was livid. For years, he has been a leading Fashionista, and now he’s being labeled as a novice who gives bad fashion advice. Friends of Talley feel Hudson made a costly mistake by dissing Talley. Hudson is also feeling the heat from American Idol fans who want her to stop bashing the show and Judge Simon Cowell. Hudson lost the competition. In one episode, after giving a poor performance, Cowell told Hudson she was out of her league. In subsequent shows, he praised her and her talents. Fans of the show feel she is being an ingrate by trashing Cowell all the time.

In other Idol news, Cowell speaks about former contestants. He said they don’t respect the show, and he’s tired of it. He says if it weren’t for American Idol, no one would know who they were.

American Idol is the hottest show on TV but with its popularity comes controversy. Are Church Singers taking over the show? In a recent poll, people stated that the Church Singers were blowing away the weaker singers, and that Church Singers are taking the show serious because they realize they can use the show to launch their careers. Another Idol controversy is the one involving Antonella Barba. She is the Jersey girl who may or may not be the sex siren in a series of pornographic pictures. When the pictures came out, Barba denied it was her. The pictures are very racy. Producers didn’t press her on it, and she was allowed to stay in the competition. Wait a minute! WTH?!! A few years ago, Contestant Frenchie Davis was booted from the show because of topless photos she took over the internet. Why the double standard? Barba has a weak voice, and Davis had a powerful voice. Rosie O’Donnell from The View weighed in. She stated bluntly Davis was booted from the show because she was fat and black, and it’s unfair. What do you think? According to published reports, the other contestants want Barba off the show. She can’t sing so maybe it will happen soon.

Why is everyone dogging Tyra Banks about her weight? In several articles, she has been described as plus size. She’s 160 pounds! When did this become plus size?!! She looked stunning at the recent NAACP Image Awards, but the next day she was criticized. No wonder so many young girls have self esteem issues. I do not understand the cruelty thrown at her just because she gained weight since her modeling days. Tyra is on a roll. She’s in line for her third TV show. Hot on the heels of her talk show and America’s Next Top Model, Tyra has another show lined up. The Glamorous Life will focus on the losers of America’s Next Top Model and how they return to regular life.

Nicole Richie continues to have health issues. She is gaining weight, but she has also been suffering from dehydration. What’s up with Lionel’s daughter?

Get well wishes go out to Will Smith. Smith recently underwent special surgery after he strained his shoulder on the set of his new movie I Am Legend.

Malik Yoba has been added to the cast of the Tyler Perry movie Why Did I Get Married? Janet Jackson and Jill Scott are starring in the movie along with Tasha Smith and Richard T. Jones. The movie is scheduled to be released February ‘08.

Jerry Springer has been tapped as the new host of the NBC show America’s Got Talent. Springer replaces Regis Philbin, who says the taping of the show required too much traveling for him. Regis has his own daily show with Kelly Ripa. America’s Got Talent returns this summer. David Hasselhoff and Brandy also starred on the show as judges. There’s no word on what will happen with Brandy as she deals with her legal issues involving the accidental death of a young woman.

Basketball Star Shaquille O’Neal will be starring in a new reality show for ABC. Shaq will be helping Florida school children lose weight. The show will focus on childhood obesity and health.

Rapper/Actor LL Cool J has got a new job, and he gets to use his gorgeous lips. For the past 20 years, he has been licking his lips and turning the ladies on. Now, he has been named the new spokesperson for Chapstick.

Former Spice Girl Mel B is preparing to deliver her baby. Mel is due in late April, and her family has flown in from London. Her mother is by her side as she prepares for the birth. Mel B says Eddie Murphy is the father of her child. Eddie says he wants a DNA tests. If the results come out in Mel’s favor, Eddie is going to have to pay up big time.

Despite winning an NAACP Image Award for his work on the ABC show Grey’s Anatomy, Actor Isiah Washington is still paying the price for his antics on the show. The gay slur he used against a castmate and the choking of another almost destroyed his career. A lot of the cast members have received huge raises, but word has it Washington is being denied his big payday. He will not get a raise. He is signed to a seven year contract, and he will get paid his original salary.

Singer Sammy Strain, of Little Anthony & The Imperials and formerly of The O’Jays, is suing his former singing partners Eddie Levert and Walter Williams for $15 million. Also included in the suit are the legendary Songwriting/Producing team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Before returning to Little Anthony and The Imperials, Strain was a member of The O’Jays for 16 years singing on the Philly classics Usta Be My Girl, Lovin’ You, Your Body’s Here With Me and Forever Mine. Strain claims he was cheated of his share of royalties.

Bobby Brown is out of jail, and he has made a batch of new enemies. Brown landed back in jail for non payment of child support. A Washington, D.C. radio station bailed him out on the condition he would work for them for a week. Well, Bobby backed out of the deal. Once he got out, he high tailed it to Los Angeles. He recently spent a night out with soon to be ex-wife Whitney Houston, their daughter Bobbi Kristina and friends.

The final DNA samples have been taken from the Godfather of Soul James Brown. Since his death almost three months ago, several people have come forward claiming he was their father. Now the race is on to see who is really a Brown.

Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx team up for the HBO movie Life Support. Latifah plays a woman who is infected with HIV. The movie details her struggles and her outreach work helping others. The movie is excellent, and it airs this month on HBO starting on the 10th. Evan Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross round out the cast, and, there’s a surprise at the end by a well known singer who has been promising to make a comeback.

Some of the parents of the girls at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy are voicing their concerns about the care their daughters are being given. Some parents have requested a meeting to discuss their progress. There is a lot of concern about the girls losing their African culture and heritage since they are living in a new environment founded by an American.

Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons happen to have one of the strangest marriages in Celebrityville. The Simmons are the parents of two young daughters, and they still live together in a multi-million dollar mansion on the east coast. Apparently, their marriage is very open because Russell is often seen with models, and Kimora is starting to spread her wings with her new man. The new man is Oscar Nominee Djimon Hounsou. Hounsou first came on the scene in the Janet Jackson video Love Will Never Do Without You. He later went on to star in the movies Amistad and Blood Diamond. Hounsou is hot right now. He just signed a deal to be the new spokesperson for Calvin Klein underwear, and he’s openly dating Russell’s wife. So what does Russell say about this? Russell says he hopes his wife is happy because Hounsou is a nice guy. He says he and his wife are good friends, and they remain business partners and parents to their daughters.

Hot on the heels of winning an Oscar for his work in The Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker’s first baby momma is trying to clown him. Forest has a 16-year old son by a former love Monique Miller. Miller claims she wants him back, despite the fact that he is currently married to someone else. In a recent interview, Miller described Whitaker as having a magic personality despite the fact that he was not the best looking man. She says he was slightly overweight with a lazy eye, but she was captivated. In school, she says he was weird and unsuccessful with girls. Miller says at first he was shy in the bedroom, but she showed him the ropes. She stated Whitaker was a quick learner who was romantic and then their relationship soured. She says it all came to an end when he became famous and started receiving attention from women. Spokespeople for Whitaker declined to comment, but they said he is happy with his current wife and children.

Despite rumors of breakups and a secret love child, “BEY-Z” continues. Jay-Z and Beyonce are currently on vacation in the islands. Jay-Z recently sold his Roc-a-wear clothing line for $204 million in cash. Jay sold it to the Iconix Brand Group. IBG licenses and markets popular brands such as Candies, Joe Boxer, Mudd, and London Fog. Jay will remain as a figurehead, and he will release his Shawn Carter Collection in 2008.

They love Michael Jackson in Japan. At a recent VIP fan appreciation event, fans paid up to $35 hundred to be with him for 30 seconds.

Star Jones is returning to TV just in time for the May sweeps and will be doing double duty. She’ll be appearing on the NBC-TV show Law and Order. She’ll play a lawyer. Ludacris will also guest star. Star will also return to her former cable stomping grounds. She just inked a deal with Court TV for her own show.


Robin Givens is currently touring the country in the stage musical Men, Money and Golddiggers. The musical also features Singer Tank, who Givens is currently dating, Ginuwine, Chico Benymon and Essence Atkins rounding out the cast.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell may soon be sweeping the streets of New York as part of a community service deal for assaulting her maid. Naomi bashed her maid’s head with a cellphone, and the maid had to get five stitches. Naomi starts on March 19th, and she’ll be sweeping, scrubbing and mopping a New York City building. She’ll be on the job for five days.

Patti LaBelle has been quite busy with her acting career. She’s currently filming the new Bill Duke movie Cover with Vivica A. Fox. Plus, Patti just wrapped up with Will Ferrell on the comedy Semi Pro.

Ron Isley and family are hitting the road. Despite being convicted on tax evasion charges, Isley avoided jail time and now he’s working harder than ever. Isley, his newborn son and young wife are gathering the family for a tour. The Isley Brothers will be in Atlantic City on April 27th and in Philly at the Tower Theatre on April 28th. The Isleys are also releasing a new album this summer.

When news came out that Chris Tucker was dating Singer India.Arie, a lot of people emailed me asking about his past love life. Arie is not the first celebrity that Chris has dated. Prior to Arie, he dated Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child.


Singer/Songwriter/Producer Robin Thicke is coming to Philly. Thicke is topping the charts with his song Lost Without You. He’s the 29-year old son of Actor Alan Thicke and Singer Gloria Loring. Robin Thicke is married to Actress Paula Patton (Idlewild, Déjà vu). Before launching his solo project Thicke wrote songs for Brian McKnight, Usher, Mary J. Blige and Michael Jackson. Thicke is going to be in concert on March 20th at the Electric Factory Concert Hall.

Tyler Perry is having problems with his $24 million mansion in Atlanta. Perry’s latest home is under construction, and he was recently fined $175 thousand for illegally removing trees from his estate. Work also had to be stopped on his three story estate when he didn’t have the proper permits for construction.

Author E. Lynn Harris is preparing a stage musical based on his best seller Invincible Life. Ashford and Simpson are doing the score to the musical.

Whitney Houston’s sometime boy toy Ray J is very proud of his forthcoming sex tape with Socialite Kim Kardashian, but word has it he may not be so happy about another sex tape. Is there another sex tape involving Ray J…… this one with another guy? Rumor has it Ray J was with another guy and they were high on ecstasy making out and it was filmed on a security camera at a California studio. Reps for Ray J claim this is just a nasty rumor. They say there is only one sex tape.... the one with ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian. The tape is expected to be released soon. Sources who have seen the tape claim he will not be known as Brandy’s little brother any more.


Actor Blair Underwood will be directing the indie film Blue Collar. Kristoff St. John (“Neil” on The Young and the Restless) is producing and Ving Rhames will star. Blue Collar will be about four blue collar men who start an escort service. Underwood will also be featured in the HBO series In Treatment later this year.

Playwright David E. Talbert (Love In The Nick of Tyme) is getting ready to direct his first movie. Talbert has tapped Ice Cube to star in his new film First Sunday. First Sunday is about two men’s botched attempt to rob a church, and the church parishioners who they take hostage. As the hostage situation goes on, the church members slowly convert the robbers to see the error of their ways. Filming starts in May with a January ‘08 release date.

The Sopranos return to HBO on April 10th. This will be the final season for Tony and the gang.

Larenz Tate has signed on to join the FX show Rescue Me. Tate is going to play a rookie firefighter.

Singer Lenny Williams is coming to Delaware. It’s a love concert on March 24th at the Longshoreman’s Hall, 200 South Claymont Street, Wilmington, Delaware. It’s JB’s birthday bash. For more info call 302-218-0554.

Upcoming Movies:

March 16th- I Think I Love My Wife- Chris Rock, Gina Torres and Kerry Washington.

March 23rd - Pride – Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.

April 6th- Are We Done Yet? Ice Cube and Nia Long.

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

He’s handsome and one of the hottest Actors in Hollywood. His smooth looks and light eyes are breaking hearts all over town. When women meet him, he makes them feel like they are the one. But, the reality is he is married, and he is never leaving his wife.

When is it time to grow up? Maybe after you father 4 or 5 kids and you refuse to marry the baby momma. This hip hop mogul acts like a teenager who is out of control with non stop partying and drinking and ecstasy. Lately, he’s been getting into fights, and sources say it’s the drugs. Maybe he should stay home with his babies and chill out.

This young man became famous as a teenager. He had a hit TV show, and he tried his hand at rapping. He is starting to venture out in movies. His star is on the rise, and so are the groupies. He’s basically a nice guy, but he’s going to have to be careful because the women who are latching onto him are golddiggers.