[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF
MARCH 3, 2003

Singer Brian McKnight is living the single life. Brian is no longer with his wife. Brian also has a new manager. He recently got rid of his longtime manager. Why is Brian making changes in his life he was married to his wife forever? Will they reconcile? Brian has a new album coming out on March 25th called U-Turn featuring the lead single 'Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda. On the new album Brian teams up with Rapper Nelly, Carl Thomas, Tyreese and Joe.

Did you have a chance to see the Soul Train Awards? It was horrible, how did the Singer Amerie who gave a horrible performance win over Heather Headly, a Tony Award Winner, and India Aire? The pace of the show was boring thank goodness for LL Cool J (he was a big honoree) he took off his shirt and livened things up. Musiq and Ashanti were the nights big winner. Paula Abdul was one of the presenters, her new skinny look is aging her. She is too skinny. Paula has had weight issues for years and now she is sporting the super skinny look, which is not flattering for her.

Gladys Knight recently opened up to Jet Magazine about her life. Gladys talked about being married to a younger man (she's 58 he's 45). She also talked about being in show biz for 50 years and how she dealt with her son's death. Gladys has the No. 1 show in Las Vegas and she seems very happy. Gladys says her young hubby is everything she prayed for. Gladys also talked about former husband Les Brown the Motivational Speaker. Gladys said when she married Les Brown she realized he was the kind of man she didn't want. When Les left Gladys he didn't tell her to her face, he sent her a letter via Federal Express (what a coward!).

Forbes Magazine recently named Oprah Winfrey the First African American Female Billionaire. Oprah has also revived her Famous Book Club. She is only going to deal with the classics. Oprah is also coming to Philly. Oprah will be here on Nov. 18th at the Kimmel Center. Oprah is getting the Marion Anderson Award.
Unfortunately all was not good for Oprah this week. Oprah's half sister Patricia Lloyd died. Patricia was 43 and for years she battled drug abuse. Oprah used to pay for her rehab until Patricia betrayed her. Oprah and Patricia have the same mother and in the 90's Patricia went to the National Enquirer and gave them the scoop on Oprah's childhood. Patricia revealed how Oprah had a baby at the age of 14 but the baby died shortly after childbirth. Oprah was hurt by her half sisters betrayal and she cut off all contact with her.

Dionne Warwick says when she caught with Marijuana last May she was framed. Dionne says the marijuana was planted. Dionne says she doesn't do drugs, she doesn't take aspirins. Those drug charges were dropped after Dionne agreed to a plea bargain and drug counseling. If she was innocent why did she agree to a plea bargain?

What was Puff Daddy doing with the President's daughters? Puffy, P-Diddy (whatever his name is this week) was at a club called Butter in New York. Puffy was dancing with the Bush Twins Jenna and Barbara on the floor. The party was hot as Naomi Campbell, Jay Z, Angela Bassett and Fred Durst looked on.

Our condolences go out to Singer Stephanie Mills. Stephanie recently lost her mother.

Jill Scott has been named Spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Apollo Theatre Academy Program. This is a Youth-Mentor program that focuses on careers in the entertainment industry.