Whitney has found a new love! How do you get over hubby Bobby Brown? You start dating Brandy’s baby brother, Singer Ray J. Houston is 43. Ray J is 25. Now before you start saying: WHAT! Here’s the scoop. Whitney and Ray J started dating around Thanksgiving. He’s currently helping her with her latest album. Sources say Whitney is happy and very sober. The two went public as a couple over the weekend, and they were very affectionate. Ray J’s mom, Sonia, is happy about the twosome. Ray J has always been in the shadow of his sister Brandy. Now that he’s dating Whitney Houston, he is about to come into his own. Forget the thug image, sex tapes with ex-love Kim Kardashian and a struggling music career, Ray J is growing up. No more sweats and hoodies with Whitney, he is stepping up his game and wearing suits and ties. One person not happy with the new couple is Whitney’s mentor, Clive Davis. He is plotting Whitney’s comeback, and he doesn’t want her to have any distractions. He wants her to concentrate on staying clean and working on her return to the charts. Whitney has something to prove, and what better way to do it than with the ex of Bobby’s Brown’s live in girlfriend, Karrine Steffans. Steffans, a.k.a. Superhead, used to date Ray J, and she claimed in her tell all book that he was a great lover. Bobby is not happy about this. Look for him to react soon.
I wanna know how Brandy feels about her long-time idol dating her baby brother. 
Get ready for the Jennifer Hudson makeover! The American Idol castoff is the new toast of Hollywood with her Golden Globe Award-winning role in Dreamgirls. Andre Leon Talley of Vogue magazine is taking Hudson under his wing. Talley knows style, and he is going to give her a makeover from head to toe. No more ill fitting weaves, ashy legs and toe jam feet. Talley will be featuring Hudson in the March issue of Vogue magazine, just in time for the Oscars. Talley likes Hudson, and he wants her to look good at every major event. Talley tried to help Mariah Carey, but she refuses to give up tight clothes and spandex. If Hudson stays under Talley’s direction, you are going to see an amazing looking woman who looks fabulous for her age and size. She’s already pretty, but now with Talley, she is going to be fabulous.
*applause*
The Boss is coming to American Idol. Diana Ross recently confirmed on The David Letterman Show that she will be appearing on Idol as a mentor. The 63-year old original Diva is back with a new album called I Love You. The album features covers of her favorite songs including I Want You by Marvin Gaye, Always and Forever by Heatwave, The Look of Love by Burt Bacharach and Lovely Day by Bill Withers, to name a few. Miss Ross is also scheduled to appear on the Bravo network show Inside The Actor’s Studio.
The True Story of Florence Ballard is a new book coming out this spring. Ballard was fired from The Supremes, and she died broke at the age of 32. The book will reveal how Diana Ross was always the main vocalists because Ballard’s sound wasn’t commercial. The book also brings up a rape at the age of 17, and notes her drinking problem may be linked to alcoholism in her family. Her father had a drinking problem.
Despite high ratings and a recent Golden Globe Award for Best Drama, there is still tension on the set of the ABC drama Grey’s Anatomy. At the center of the controversy are Actor Isaiah Washington and the alleged gay slur he used on Co-star T. R. Knight. During a press conference to celebrate the shows recent Golden Globe win, Washington was asked about it and he shouted, he didn’t call anyone a f**got! Cast members winced at his choice of words. Castmate Katherine Heigl, who plays “Izzie,” says Washington should not be allowed to speak in public, and he was way out of line. Castmembers are still upset with Washington because along with the alleged gay slur, he choked his castmate, Patrick Dempsey (“Dr. McDreamy”). Washington is sick of the snubs. He says enough already! He is not vile and hateful. Show Creator Shonda Rhimes is going to have her hands full keeping peace on the set of the show. Will the cast members ever forgive Washington?
Michael Misick, the Prime Minister of the Turks and Ciaos Islands, may be headed for trouble and voted out of office. Misick is up for reelection, but he faces tough competition. Residents of the islands have not been happy with Misick since his wedding to Actress Lisa Raye McCoy. Misick allegedly fathered a child with another woman. To get back into Lisa Raye’s good graces, he reported gave her some land and lots of money. Lisa Raye claims baby reports are not true, and that the honeymoon is still going on. But, island natives claim Lisa Raye is never there, and Misick may be voted out of office.
Singer Toni Braxton is suing her former manager, Barry Hankerson for $10 million. Braxton claims Hankerson put his financial interests ahead of hers and cost her millions of dollars. Hankerson tricked Braxton into leaving her longtime record home Arista Records to join his label, Blackground Records. After poor sales of subsequent albums, she was dumped from the label. Braxton is currently doing a one woman show in Las Vegas, but she feels Hankerson ruined her career. Hankerson has quite a history. He used to be married to Gladys Knight, and he almost forced her into bankruptcy. His niece was the late Singer Aaliyah. Sources say it was his tips that led police to investigate R Kelly on child pornography charges. He never forgave Kelly for marrying his niece when she was 14.
Does American Idol Judge Paula Abdul need help? What’s up with her wacky behavior? Last week during some interviews to promote season six of American Idol, Abdul appeared wacky and out of it. Spokespeople for the Fox Network say they have tremendous respect and admiration for Paula. They feel she is the consummate professional who always gives 100 percent. They claim she was experiencing technical difficulties with the affiliates that were conducting interviews. She decided to have fun with the interviews, and they didn’t get it. I have been saying this since last season: something is going on with Paula Abdul. She may need an intervention.
Queen Latifah is gearing up for her new HBO movie, Life Support, which debuts March 10th. Latifah plays an ex-crack addict who is HIV positive. A lot of people are wondering if this will be the year Queen Latifah reveals all. She does not comment on her private life, but she appears very happy with her close friend, Fitness Expert Jeannette Jenkins. Jenkins is very out and open about her sexuality. Will Latifah follow suit?
The Mel B baby controversy continues. The former Spice Girl insists that the baby she is carrying is Eddie Murphy’s, and she is willing to go on live TV to prove it once and for all. Eddie says the baby is not his. Is he willing to go on live TV to do a DNA test? Mel B says Eddie humiliated her by publicly dumping her, and now it’s time to crack his face.
The family of James Brown is planning to meet with the family of Elvis Presley. The Browns are very impressed with the Presley estate, Graceland. Graceland is Memphis, Tennessee’s biggest tourist attraction. The former home of Elvis Presley is known around the world, and now the family of James Brown wants to do the same for The Godfather of Soul. They would like his South Carolina home turned into a soul version of Graceland. The home would be a museum where fans could pay tribute. A mausoleum would also be there holding the body of Brown. The Brown family would like to continue bringing in money for the estate. The final Will and testament was revealed, and nothing was left for the 5-year old son born to Tomi Rae Hynie. The family wants a DNA to prove the child is really a Brown.
Because the will was made before James II was born and he "married" Tomi! Duh!
The highest rated show in VH1’s history is I Love New York. The Flavor of Love spinoff starring Tiffany Patterson (New York), the girl who was dumped twice by Flavor Flav, scored the best rating of any show on the network. It even beat the season two premiere of Flavor of Love. The reviews for the show have been mixed as New York finds her true love, but sources says she better be careful. A few of the guys on the show are rumored to be on the down low, including the popular Chance.
DUH AGAIN!
The 49th Annual Grammy Awards are happening on February 11th. Beyonce is scheduled to perform. Some of the presenters include Terrence Howard and Samuel L. Jackson. It’s going to be big night for Mary J. Blige. She’s up for eight awards.
The HBO movie Lackawanna Blues is getting ready to become a series for the network. No word on whether Halle Berry will sign on as producer, or if original stars S. Epatha Merkerson or Ruben Santiago will return.
I had a chance to talk to Actor Idris Elba. I love this man. He is not only fine, but he is a great actor. He is best known for his role in the HBO series The Wire, where he played the popular role of “Stringer Bell.” Elba hails from London, and his accent is so sexy. Elba is excited about this year. He is going to be everywhere. Next month, he’s starring in the new Tyler Perry movie Daddy’s Little Girls with Gabrielle Union. Later this year, he teams up with Oscar Winner Hillary Swank in the movie The Reaper. The Reaper comes out March 30th. Later this year, he teams up Oscar Winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe for the movie American Gangsters. He is currently filming a holiday movie, This Christmas, with Nia Long, Regina King and Chris Brown.
Juanita gets half! After 17 years of marriage, three kids, excessive gambling and lots of cheating, the Jordan marriage is over. Michael and Juanita threw in the towel. He was never going to change, and she wanted to move on with her life. After all was said and done, Juanita got $200 million. Now, it’s time to get a new man.
The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin wants to resume her acting career. Years ago, she was featured in The Blues Brothers movie, but now The Queen wants more. She’s reaching out to Denzel Washington to help her. Aretha has a new album coming out this year. Later this month, she’s going to be honored during the UNCF Evening of Stars telethon. The show will air on FOX 29 and BET the weekend of the January 27th-28th.
The 79th Annual Academy Awards will air at the end of February. Oprah Winfrey will be hosting an Oscar special that will air the Thursday before The Academy Awards. The show will feature top stars interviewing their favorite celebrities. Julia Roberts will interview George Clooney, Nicole Kidman will interview Russell Crowe and Jamie Foxx will interview Sidney Poitier.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has pleaded guilty to assault charges. Naomi admits she beat one of her assistants with her Blackberry after accusing the assistant of stealing a pair of her jeans. Campbell, who has a history of beating her assistants, has been sentenced to five days of community service, two days of anger management classes and she will have to pay the assistant’s medical bills.
The Essence Music Festival is returning to New Orleans July 5th-7th. This year’s lineup includes Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Lionel Richie. Check out the new issue of Essence magazine featuring the beautiful Actress Nia Long. She’s being shy about her love life. In the interview, she denies knowing Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints. He was her rumored boyfriend last year. This year, her rumored boyfriend is Basketball Star Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets. He’s the 7’6 center for the team. Long is notoriously private about her personal life, but she does admit in the interview that her new love is involved in sports.
Congrats to Tina Campbell of the group Mary Mary. Tina and her husband, Teddy, are expecting baby number two this summer. They also have a three-year old daughter. In other baby news, Singer Faith Evans has been put on bed rest. She is expecting her fourth child.
Check out the latest issue of People magazine. Boris Kodjoe, his wife, Actress Nicole Ari Parker, and their two young babies are featured.
Actor/Director Keenen Ivory Wayans is finding love after his recent divorce. He’s currently dating Actress Brittany Daniel. The blonde beauty was featured in his last movie ‘Little Man’ and co-stars in the Girlfriends spinoff, The Game, on the CW network.
UPCOMING MOVIES:
January 26th- Smoking Aces – Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys and Common.
February 9th- Norbit – Eddie Murphy.
February 13th- Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls- Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett, Jr. and Tracee Ellis Ross.
March 2nd- Wild Hogs- John Travolta, Martin Lawrence and Tim Allen.
March 16th- I Think I Love My Wife- Chris Rock, Gina Torres and Kerry Washington.
Also coming in March- Pride – Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.
April 6th- Are We Done Yet? Ice Cube and Nia Long.
The new Gerald Levert CD, In My Songs, arrives in stores February 13th. The first single is the tile track, In My Songs.
Prince is the halftime performer at this year’s Superbowl. The big game is February 4th. Prince is scheduled to a tribute to James Brown during the show. Pop Star Billy Joel will be singing the national anthem.
The latest David E. Talbert stage musical, Love In The Nick of Tyme. The musical stars Morris Chestnut, Singer Trenyce (American Idol) and Singer Avant. Singer Vivian Green is doing the music.
My Brother Marvin is the life story of Marvin Gaye. The stage musical was written by Marvin’s sister, Zeola Gaye. The musical stars Keith Washington, Clifton Powell, Marvin’s daughter Nona Gaye, Tony Grant and John Canada Terrell.
BET’s Celebration of Gospel will air on January 28th. Steve Harvey will be hosting with special guests Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans and Smokie Norful.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This R&B Diva recently turned 50-years old. She is having a hard time adjusting to getting older. She has an amazing voice with a string of hits, but in concert, she is prone to temper tantrums. When she doesn’t like the sound, she stops the music and leaves the stage. Over the weekend, she angered many of her fans after a concert in Atlantic City.
Anita? 
This Film Producer is beautiful and rich. She used to be married to a famous Singer/Songwriter. After their divorce, she got very rich. She loves power and fame, and she recently started dating a big Hollywood star. Despite his impending fatherhood, high profile divorce and rumors of being on the down low, she decided to go out with the star. He is super hot right now, and every week he is in a different magazine. The Film Producer thought it would be good for her career, if she became his trophy date for award shows. Well, the bloom is off the rose. She feels used and unappreciated. She realizes after getting dissed on TV (she went to kiss him and he turned away) that he is only using her for her looks. Their next date is Hollywood’s biggest awards night. Will she continue with the charade?
Tracey Edmonds
Threaded Mode
