411 for the week of February 16th, 2004
Close friends and family are worried about boxing legend Joe Frazier. The 60-year-old former boxer was arrested last week after getting into a fight with the mother of his youngest son. At the end of the altercation she was left with a cut and swollen lip and he had to spend the night in jail on assault charges. Sources say during the altercation Joe's 12-year-old son came after him with a baseball bat for fighting his mother. This arrest could really hurt Joe Frazier. He is currently starring in a new advertising campaign for Sloppy Joe's (sandwiches). In the commercial Joe is starring with other Joes: former football great, Joe Theisman, comedian Joe Piscopo and Joe Millionaire's Evan Marriott. Joe was also recently inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Writer Hall of Fame. Friends of Frazier say this is not in his character and there must have been a big misunderstanding.
American Idol judge Simon Cowell lets loose in the latest issue of TV Guide. Simon A.K.A. "Mr. Nasty" is not known for holding his tongue. Simon talks about recent American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. He says Ruben is too fat! Simon says Ruben is bigger than ever since winning the competition. He also says with Ruben's schedule and the stress of the music business it's too much. He wishes Ruben would get his weight under control. Simon also talked about Justin Guarini, who came in second place during season number one. He says the Doylestown native is at best just a wedding singer. Justin's album did not do well and he has been dropped from his record company. Simon is also not impressed with today's leading singers. He says Brittney Spears can't sing, Madonna is over and that Mariah Carey has a great voice, but a crazy attitude.
Diana Ross has finished her jail time. Here's how an ex-Supreme goes to jail. She served her sentence in segments. She would do four hours here, six hours there. She had a female guard and police officers would go out and bring her food. During her 48-hour jail sentence, she would bring a comforter from home with her to jail. She served the sentence at a Connecticut jail near her home. Diana was convicted last week on a drunk driving charge. She is currently preparing for a European tour.
Singer Melba Moore says no more sex for her. In a recent interview Melba talks about finding religion and she says even if she were to get married again she would remain celibate. Years ago Melba made millions on Broadway with her spectacular voice, but a 1993 bitter divorce left her homeless and broke. Melba was on welfare for a while raising her daughter. Melba's life has turned around since then she is back on her feet financially, but she says she never wants to have sex again. She says her love of God fills that void in her life.
Actress Sanaa Lathan is getting ready to make her Broadway debut. Sanaa is best known for the movies Love and Basketball, Out of Time with Denzel Washington, and Brown Sugar. Sanaa has joined the Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun". Sanaa joins Puff Daddy, Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Meanwhile Sanaa's "ex", actor Omar Epps has a new movie coming out on Friday. He stars with Meg Ryan and Charles Dutton in the movie Against the Ropes. Charles Dutton is the movie's director. Omar plays a boxer. He is currently expecting a baby with the winger Keisha from the group Total.
Janet Jackson bares all again! This time she's baring it for the cover of her new album, Damita Jo. Janet looks good posing with her arms covering her breasts the new CD comes out March 30th. Meanwhile there is trouble in the Jackson family. The brothers are not getting along. Jermaine and Randy are battling over who is going to be Michael's right hand man. Jermaine and Randy have been on the outs ever since Jermaine ran off and married the mother of Randy's children. Jermaine wants to be the one giving Michael advice and he has been pushing Michael towards the Nation of Islam. Lately Michael has been traveling with Randy and Jermaine doesn't like it because Michael has been listening to Randy and ignoring him. Michael realizes he needs to be more in control of his life as he fights child molestation charges. Sources say he is not happy with the Nation of Islam because they are isolating many of his family members. At one point Tito and Jackie were told they couldn't see their brother and a fight almost broke out. Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson clan, has opened a new restaurant in West Hollywood. It's a soul food restaurant called Katherine's. In other Michael news, he has hired a new personal publicist to speak for him. He is tired of friends talking about him. He wants them to stop doing interviews and be quiet.
Beyonce will be honored as "Entertainer of the Year" at the NAACP Image Awards. The awards will air on Fox March 11th.
Luther Vandross' mom, Mary Ida Vandross, has signed on as a spokesperson for the Charles Ray Diabetes Association. Mrs. Vandross will be appearing in a series of public service announcements talking about the disease that claimed the life of her husband, her mother, her oldest son, daughter and grandson. Diabetes is cited as a major factor in the 2003 stroke of Luther Vandross.
Who's the hot new celebrity couple? How about singer Ashanti and rapper Nelly. Hey if it works for Beyonce having a rapper boyfriend, it should work for Ashanti.
J Records, the home of Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross, may have some new label mates. Prince and Jamie Foxx may be signing with the label. Back in 1994 Jamie released an album. Look for his Ray Charles movie Unchain My Heart later this year.
Actor Blair Underwood is coming back to television. Blair is in talks with the NBC network about doing a drama with Heather Locklear.
Ron Isley opens up about his latest love, 22-year-old singer Kandi Johnson. Ron turns 63 in May and he says age is only an issue for some people. He says he's happy with his young sweetie and he says despite her age she has a lot of wisdom. (Whatever
) Ron says he still keeps in touch with ex-wife singer/songwriter A'ngela Winbush. Ron says they still work together.
NBC and the Bravo network have a rating smash with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Well get ready for the black version. The Showtime network is developing a show called Make me Cool. The show will be about a hip group of African Americans helping the fashion challenged reach their goals of being fabulous. The show will air by the end of the year.