4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 10TH, 2003
The romance between Gerald Levert and Monique is very real. Gerald was dating singer/songwriter Kandi Buress from Xscape, but that romance has ended. Right now it's all about Monique.
Vivica A. Fox has ditched the weave! Check out Vivica on the latest cover of Jet Magazine. Vivica is sporting a new short do like Halle Berry. Vivica is currently in Baltimore filming the movie Beauty Shop. In a recent interview with celebrity journalist, Jawn Murray, Vivica talked about plastic surgery. She says she doesn't have a problem with it because she is in a business where you have to keep yourself up. Vivica is no stranger to plastic surgery. She has had work done on her face, but she won't reveal what she has had done. Vivica is also very single. She is no longer dating rapper 50 Cent. 50 says he needs a woman who is together; one that's intelligent. He says she doesn't have to be all that beautiful. Did Vivica's jealousy drive him up the wall? Was is it the age difference…he's 27, she's 39? Or was it a publicity stunt? Hmmmmmmmmm? What did he mean by intelligent? Together? Was he dissing Vivica?
Patti LaBelle is on the cover of Heart and Soul Magazine and she opens up like never before. Patti reveals that her marriage to Armstead Edwards didn't last because they were too different. She also feels she hasn't gotten her due in regards to her career, but she treasures the love of her fans. Patti says she is almost 60 and she feels blessed because her sisters never lived to the age of 45.
The new issue of Essence Magazine features Magic and Cookie Johnson on the cover. Cookie talks about why she stayed with Magic after he revealed he was HIV positive. A lot of people thought she was crazy. Many thought she was hanging in there for the money, but Cookie reveals it was her love for him.
The Jimi Hendrix Story is coming to the big screen and Andre Benjamin a.k.a. Andre 3000 of Outkast will play the legendary rocker. Actor Laurence Fishburne was also pursuing this role, but Andre won the role. In his new video for "Hey Ya" he looks like Jimi Hendrix. The Hughes Brothers will direct the movie.
Halle Berry will continue to be one of the faces of Revlon Cosmetics. She just signed a new deal. On the 21st, her new movie Gothika opens.
Usher has a new album called Confessions coming out next year, and in a recent interview with Upscale Magazine he did some confessing. In a move that even shocked his mother, who is also his manager, Usher admitted to smoking weed. He says he didn't like it and would not advise anyone to do it. Usher also talked about a relationship he was in years ago before he met Chili. Usher was involved with a girl, and while he was with her he got another girl pregnant. The girl did not have the baby, but his cheating destroyed the relationship he was in. The new album also touches on his on again/off again relationship with Chili. Usher is looking to go on tour next year and word has it Beyonce will be joining him.
The American Music Awards air on Sunday night on ABC. Jimmy Kimmell is hosting some of the performers include Ruben Studdard, Ashanti, OutKast, Justin Timberlake and Sean Paul.
American Idol judge Simon Cowell is coming out with a new book called I Don't Mean To Be Rude But…Backstage Gossip From American Idol And Secrets That Can Make You a Star. "Mr. Nasty" as he is called, dishes the dirt on American Idol contestants Trenyce, Carmen, Clay Aikens and Ryan Starr to name a few. Simon is very candid and he holds nothing back as he talks about whom he liked and whom he didn't like. He also discusses the jealousy and backstabbing of some of the contestants. Check out the American Idol Christmas Special on Fox on November 25th.
The "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is close to settlement with Star Magazine. They published a story about her having a drinking problem and she sued them in a multi million-dollar lawsuit.
The Wayne Brady Show is in trouble. Despite the Emmy Awards and the critical praise, the show is turning out to be a ratings disappointment. Sources say the show could be replaced next year with The Tony Danza Show. Tony is best known for starring in the television shows Taxi and Who's the Boss.
Who's better Mary J. Blige miserable, or Mary J. Blige in love? Mary's new CD Love and Life is not doing well. This album has not yet sold a million copies. Despite massive publicity and a great interview with 60 Minutes, the public is not buying this album. Mary is happy now, she's in love and off drugs, but when she was unhappy and messed up, she was selling records. I think the wrong singles are being picked off the album and her new label Geffen doesn't get it. They should bring out a good ballad and see if the album sales turn around.
A few weeks ago, I told you about actress Jasmine Guy and her strange behavior on stage in the play The Violet Hour. Jasmine was let go from the production after having some sort of meltdown. Sources say she was listless, vacant and didn't know her lines. Members of the audience started walking out and those who stayed started booing. Producers for the show say she was let go for medical reasons. In an interview with Access Hollywood, Jasmine said she was sick and she shouldn't have gone on that night. Jasmine's schedule has been very hectic and she was splitting her time between the show in New York and her family in Los Angeles. Jasmine is the mother of a 4 year old and she is raising her husband's niece. Jasmine is now with her family. Next year she returns to the Showtime series Dead Like Me and she's helping Afeni Shukar write her autobiography. Afeni is the mother to the late rapper Tupac.
Doctors say it will be another year or two before singer Luther Vandross makes a full recovery from his stroke. Luther is undergoing rehabilitation right now. Doctors report he is doing some talking and singing and learning how to walk again. Luther is up for two American Music Awards. The show airs on the 16th.
Boyz II Men is making a comeback next year. In January they will be releasing the Throwback Album: Volume One. This album is going to pay homage to the music stars of the 70's and 80's such as Marvin Gaye, Debarge, The Isley Brothers, Al Green and Michael Jackson. Boyz II Men will be releasing the project on their own label and they are now a trio. Mike McCrary has retired from the group.
Saxophonist Najee has joined forces with actress Km Fields. Kim is now performing as a spoken word artists. Her latest project is called Smooth Is Spoken Here.
The Bernie Mac Show will not air during the November ratings sweep. The show has been pushed back to November 30th and it will air in its new Sunday night timeslot.
Actress Lisa Raye who plays "Neesy" on the UPN Show All of Us gives a very revealing interview in the latest edition of Sister to Sister Magazine. Lisa claims she only makes $20,000 per episode on the show because black shows don't pay a lot of money. (Afrochic's sidenote: She has no talent whatsoeva...she betta be happy she's getting that much
)
Ice Cube will be replacing Vin Diesel in the next XXX movie and Samuel L. Jackson has signed on to co-star. In the meantime, Ice Cube has started filming a new movie with Nia Long. Years ago they co-starred in Boyz in the Hood, and now they are teaming up for the comedy Are We There Yet? In the movie, Ice Cube plays a guy out to win the heart of Long's character, by taking her and her children on a road trip.