Celebrity Dish, Part II

[CrimsonTide4]

Disappointed In Donnie

LAST week, a rumor spread like a wildfire throughout radio land that claimed Tracey Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' wife, had engaged in a liaison with L.A. Laker Derrick Fisher. The story was reported on the morning broadcast of the "Donnie Simpson Show" on 95.5 WPGC-FM in Washington, D.C. I had
been working with Babyface and Tracey for the last month as my cover story for the January/February issue of Black Elegance Magazine. I knew it was totally false, so I didn't go near it with a 10 foot pole. Says Babyface and Tracey: "On Tuesday morning, November 28, 2001, on "The Donnie Simpson Show," celebrity gossip commentator, 'Huggy Lowdown,' reported an alleged rumor regarding us and Derrick Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers. This rumor was not only false and outrageous, but also hurtful to us. We have never met, nor have we ever been in the presence of Derrick Fisher. Donnie Simpson and Huggy apologized to us on the air the following morning. Subsequently, Donnie released a statement of apology wherein he referred to the allegation as 'erroneous and totally baseless,' and also admitted that 'Huggy' had used his show to spread 'false and hurtful rumors.' Even though Donnie has apologized, the Edmonds have still retained a law firm to address the matter. This is all so sad because rumor has it that Donnie and Babyface are supposed to be good friends.



FORMER "Moesha" costar Lamont Bentley, who portrayed Hakeem, steps into the role of my dearly missed friend, Tupac Shakur, in "The MC Hammer Story," which will air on VH1 on December 14. Lamont, who also stars in "The Wash," with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, told a source: "I was nervous playing such a high-profile character, knowing people loved that guy, I was like, 'I hope I don't mess this up." Lamont is also working hard to get a music career off the ground.


What's New With Farrah?

FARRAH Franklin, who was a member of Destiny's Child for the blink of an eye, is rumored to be working on a tell-all book about the short time she spent with the group. Aside from the tome, Farrah is starting her own website, putting out a calendar and releasing a solo album on Nelly's Fo'Real Records. Folks tell me the girl can sing!