Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown can’t stay away from each other! Houston and Brown and their teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina were spotted having dinner together on the night of the Grammy’s. Whitney has filed for divorce from her hubby, but he is not letting go. Sources say they went out together for the sake of their daughter, but Brown has no job and no steady income. He wants his wife back. Houston has been trying to turn her life around leaving the drugs and the madness behind. Can she beat her addiction to her husband?
Mr. Biggs beats the rap! Singer Ron Isley has dodged a bullet. Isley was facing a three year prison sentence following his guilty verdict in his tax evasion trial. Isley, who had been sick during the trial, was supposed to be housed at a prison medical facility. The verdict is currently in appeals, and Isley is doing no jail time. Isley is currently planning a 29-city tour that will wrap up in Philadelphia. On the home front, all is going well as his family expands. Isley and his wife Kandy recently welcomed their second child. Isley’s first son, Ron O’Kelly Isley, Jr., is two-months old. Isley says his family will be joining him on the road.
The autopsy report is in, and it appears Gerald Levert’s death was accidental. Apparently, a fatal combination of prescription narcotics and over the counter medicines did him in. Levert died suddenly at the age of 40 last November 10th. Some of the medicines found in his system include pain relievers Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet, plus anxiety medicines Xanax and Antihistamines to treat Pneumonia. The Levert Family has issued a statement saying they accept the findings, and they thank the fans for their love and support. The new Gerald Levert CD, In My Songs, is out in stores now.
Will Michael Jackson be the mid season shocking surprise on this season’s American Idol. Jackson is working on reviving his career. Word has it an Idol week is being proposed for Jackson. The contestants would do his music, and he would mentor them. In other Idol news, producers are working overtime editing the show. Anything that may hint that Paula Abdul is under the influence (pills, alcohol) is taken out. They want Paula to appear as sane as possible. A lot of people think her loopy behavior is hurting the show’s credibility.
At the movies, it’s Tyler Perry’s latest production Daddy’s Little Girls. Daddy’s Little Girls stars Gabrielle Union, Idris Elba, Louis Gossett, Jr., Tracee Ellis Ross and Tasha Smith. Daddy’s Little Girls celebrates a father’s love for his daughters. Gabrielle Union says she enjoyed the kissing scenes with Elba. Elba is best known for his work on the HBO series The Wire, where he played the notorious “Stringer Bell.” I love this man. He is so fine. Co-star Tasha Smith hails from Camden, New Jersey. She plays a mean baby momma. I had the honor of meeting her years ago when she first started her career. I’m glad she hooked up with Tyler Perry. Tyler has another winner on his hands as he celebrates men who are doing right by their children.
Now that Michael Jordan has divorced his wife Juanita, his former mistress is talking. Lisa Micelli was the long time mistress of the basketball great. Micelli is planning to write a book about her love affair with the sports legend. Micelli talks about Jordan’s love of white women. Micelli says black women should not get mad at Jordan about this. She claims he dates white women because this is something he wants to do.
A judge has ordered the children of James Brown to get it together and bury their father. The Godfather of Soul died on Christmas Day, and he has yet to be buried as his children settle on his estate and future legacy. A judge has also allowed Brown’s companion, Tomi Rae Hynie, entrance into the South Carolina house to gather her belongings. When Brown died, she was denied entrance, and she was left out of the will. A personal Valet for Brown claims Hynie broke Brown’s heart when he caught her with another woman. The woman was one of his backup singers. He says Brown thought Hynie was gay, and that’s why she was left out of his will.
Singer Luther Ingram is not doing well. Ingram is best known for the 1972 classic If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right). The 62-year old is on dialysis, and is currently depending on a respirator to breathe.
The countdown is on to The Academy Awards. The big night is February 24th, and Ellen DeGeneres will be hosting. The Dreamgirls will be onstage performing Beyonce, Anika Noni Rose and Jennifer Hudson. Hudson is on a roll. The Oscars are going to be a big night for her. She’s performing, and she’s up for Best Supporting Actress. Check out Hudson on the March covers of Vogue and Essence magazines. Hudson is making history as only the fourth African American woman to grace the cover of Vogue. She is the first African American singer. Other famous Vogue covers include Model Beverly Johnson, Talk Show Host Oprah Winfrey and Oscar Winner Halle Berry. Beyonce is set the grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. She will be the second African American female to grace the cover over the past ten years. The Sports Illustrated with Beyonce comes out on February 18th. As the Dreamgirls prepare for Oscar night, word has it egos had to be smoothed out. Beyonce had a Grammy party sponsored by People magazine, and she reportedly left Jennifer Hudson’s name off the guest list. Spokespeople for Beyonce wanted the night to be about Beyonce and her contributions to the music business over the years. Hudson is seen as a rising new comer. They claim no harm intended, but Hudson’s absence was noted. Also, Jay-Z was not at the party. Is there trouble in paradise? Hmmmmmmmmmm!
Darn the critics--- Norbit is a hit! Eddie Murphy’s latest venture took in over $33 million at the box office. Murphy could walk away with his first Oscar in a couple of weeks for his work in Dreamgirls. His next project is Shrek the Third opening in theatres in May. Eddie is definitely on a roll. He’s also considering returning to his stand up comedy roots.
The feud is over between Patti LaBelle and Record Exec L.A. Reid. LaBelle left Def Jam Records in a huff after they failed to properly promote her album. LaBelle blasted the label and Reid publicly. Reid took offense, and let her go from the label. Well, now months later, cooler heads have prevailed. Egos and misunderstandings have been put aside and the two have made up. LaBelle is now back with Island/Def Jam Records, and she should have a new album coming out later this year.
John Legend is coming to Philly along with Corrine Bailey Rae. Contact
info@2downfront.com for more details.
If it were up to Jada Pinkett Smith, her hubby Will Smith would do more love scenes on the big screen. Jada opens up in the latest issue of Tango magazine about her Big Willie. Jada admits Will should do more love scenes in his movies. She also says she doesn’t mind his mini crushes on other female celebrities.
The children of the woman who was killed in the accidental car crash that Brandy caused are suing the singer. Late last year, Brandy triggered a four car crash that killed a woman, and now the children of that woman have filed a lawsuit claiming Brandy operated her vehicle in a reckless manner that caused the death of their mother. A monetary amount has not been revealed. An earlier lawsuit asking for $50 million filed by the woman’s parents was thrown out because only next of kin can file a lawsuit like that. Plus, the parents of the woman had not seen their daughter in 11 years since they live in Morocco.
Producer Teddy Riley could be facing jail time for embezzlement. A court order out of Chesapeake, Virginia claims Riley failed to comply with a court order by not appearing to answer charges about withholding a former employee’s wages. A March 13th court date has been set.
Get ready for the return of Deniece Williams! Williams is set to release a new CD entitled Love, Niecy Style on April 24th.
Oprah’s school for girls in South Africa is set to air as an ABC special on February 26th. The special, Building A Dream, will also feature Oprah’s celebrity friends Tina Tuner, Chris Rock, Spike Lee, Sidney Poitier and Mary J. Blige.
Former Cosby kid Raven-Symone graces the cover of Ebony magazine. The star of the Cheetah Girls and That’s So Raven is listed as the $400 million woman. The March issue is the annual women’s issue.
Filming starts in a few weeks for the movie Cover. Cover is about black men on the down low, and stars Vivica A. Fox, Louis Gossett, Jr., Paula Jai Parker and Clifton Powell. Bill Duke is directing, and filming will take place in Philly.
Why did Actress Victoria Rowell leave the soap opera The Young and The Restless? Sources say she was unhappy, and she was ready to get on with the next phase of her life. Rowell has a new book coming out on April 10th entitled The Women Who Raised Me. She writes about her life growing up in foster homes.
Mike Tyson is proving to be a model patient in rehab. Tyson faces 7 ½ years in prison following a scuttle with police last year in Arizona. At the time, Tyson admitted using drugs. He is currently being treated for several addictions, and is awaiting trial on drug charges.
What’s up with Actor Taye Diggs? He’s married to Broadway Star Idina Menzel, but he’s often seen out with other women. Let’s just say he doesn’t act like a married man.
Get well wishes go out to Singer R Kelly. Kelly recently had surgery for appendicitis. Kelly became ill during festivities for the Superbowl in Miami.
I forgot to post that.
Actress Lisa Raye McCoy and her husband Michael Misick, the Prime Minister of the Turks and Ciaos Islands, are mourning the loss of his nephew. He was a pilot who was killed in a plane crash on the islands.
Jermaine Dupri has been named the President of Urban Music for Island Records. Dupri left Virgin Records last year after the disastrous sales of his girlfriend Janet Jackson’s latest CD. Dupri felt Virgin Records dropped the ball regarding the sales of Miss Jackson’s album. As the new President of Island Records, many wonder will Janet join him on this label.
Hot new couple alert: Reggie Bush, football player with the New Orleans Saints, and pop singing sensation Ciara.
Take that, Bow Wow! 
Queen Latifah says she’s ready to be a mom, and she is willing to adopt. Latifah is currently promoting her upcoming HBO movie Life Support. The movie debuts March 8th on HBO. Latifah co-stars with Jamie Foxx in the movie about an HIV positive woman who has turned her life around to help others with the disease.
Mary J. Blige will be gracing the cover of the March issue of Vibe magazine.
The 1977 groundbreaking miniseries Roots is coming out on DVD to commemorate its 30th anniversary.
What’s behind the celebrity feud between P Diddy and Supermodel Naomi Campbell? At one time, the two were the best of buds. But, since Diddy reunited with his baby momma Kim Porter and recommitted to her, his friendship with Campbell suffered. At a recent Grammy party, Diddy cussed out Campbell and embarrassed her in front of party goers.
The Producing-Songwriting team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff will be hosting the Philadelphia movie premiere of Pride. Pride stars Terrence Howard, and it tells the story of Jim Ellis, a Philadelphia school teacher who founded an African American swim team in the 70’s. Ellis put the team on the road to championships. The movie premiere is happening Tuesday, February 27th at the Prince Theatre, 15th and Chestnut Streets. In addition to Gamble and Huff, the stars of the movie will be in attendance including Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Tom Arnold and Evan Ross. The movie opens in theatres on March 23rd.
Rocker Bono is getting honored at this year’s NAACP Image Awards. The front man for the Rock Band U2 will be receiving The Chairman’s Award for his humanitarian efforts involving AIDS in Africa. The awards show is set for Friday, March 2nd on Fox. Bill Cosby and CNN’s Soledad O’Brien are also being honored. Rapper/Actor LL Cool J will be hosting.
Gospel Music’s biggest night, The 2007 Stellar Awards, is set to air February 18th.
The concert scene is heating up. Check out
www.2downfront.com for your tickets to all upcoming events.
Upcoming Movies:
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.
March 23rd- Pride – Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac.
April 6th- Are We Done Yet? Ice Cube and Nia Long.
My Brother Marvin is the life story of Marvin Gaye. The stage musical was written by Marvin’s sister, Zeola Gaye. My Brother Marvin will be at the Merriam Theatre, February 14th-18th. The musical stars Keith Washington, Clifton Powell, Marvin’s daughter Nona Gaye, Tony Grant and John Canada Terrell.
Men, Money & Golddiggers is also coming to Philly at the Merriam Theatre, February 27th- March 4th. The play stars Robin Givens, Carl Payne, Miguel Nunez, Jr., Chico Benymon and Essence Atkins.
WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This young Man is a rising blue-eyed soul singer. He comes from a famous family, and he is married to an African American Actress. The Actress only married him to get ahead. While he tours around the country promoting his latest CD, she is fooling around with everybody.
NOT ROBIN AND PAULA!!!! SAY IT AIN'T SO!!!!
Please say it ain't so.
Hybrid Mode
