Brrr...It's Winter 2K5-2K6 News

[Shalom08]

As long as he has experience in being legal (meaning he's not 18, 19, nor 20)...I see nothing wrong with Stella, I mean Nessa getting her groove on .

Me personally, If I was single, you'd find my hands rocking cradles rather then digging graves too...not that I'd molest somebody's child, but if he was 21 and over----------> is how my face would look.

GO NESSA! I'm so happpy for her!!!

[Confucius]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
One can be happy for folks, YET STILL make comments.

Right....I noticed how so many people are hating on Star.

[jitterbug13]

Originally posted by mulattogyrl
One glaring omission is American Idol Winner Fantasia. She received no nominations even though she had an outstanding year musically. Maybe she'll get Kanye West to console her. I hear the two are very close since they went on tour together last year. Hmmmmmm!!!!

Don't let Soror JB13 read this!

Thanks Soror mulattogyrl and Honeykiss. I'm ok. I didn't cry or anything. If it's true, I'm happy for them. I can live with that. I would also wouldn't be suprised if there are rumors that he goes with Keisha Cole. My stepdad's more sad about Fantaisa (he has a crush on her).

But one of my friends was telling me that there was a rumor that Ye was going with Tracee Ellis Ross. Now that made me mad!

On Vanessa: so that's who that young fine thing is.... I saw some pics on BV and they didn't know who he was.

[jitterbug13]

Dennis Rodman sure loves the spotlight, but it seems his paparazzi worth is going down the drain. Are Americans tired of The Worm? It appears that way as Rodman is headed to London to participate in an English version of reality TV show, 'Celebrity Big Brother.'

Either that or they offered him sacks and sacks of money.

Rodman will be rooming with Anna Nicole Smith, Joan Rivers, model/actress Traci Bingham and a few other D-list U.K. celebrities. In the celebrity version of the show, the money raised by telephone votes is given to the winner's charity. There's no word if the show will make its way to U.S. television, but if it did, would you really watch it? Really, you would? OK...

76ers Chris Webber Starts Restaurant Chain
Former Sacramento King and current Philly 76er Chris Webber can't let go of his love for Sac-Town. The power forward announced last week that he will be opening a chain of restaurants in the Sacramento area called "Center Court with C Webb."

"I'm happy to be opening what will be an immensely successful and popular restaurant in such a family community like Sacramento," Webber said in an obvious canned statement.

The first restaurant will open in fall 2006 in The Village at Sacramento Gateway, with ten more opening in the next few years across the country. The restaurant is a family and entertainment-themed chain that will look like a basketball court on the inside adorned with priceless memorabilia and interactive displays.

During the groundbreaking last week, Webber grabbed a shovel and dug a hole in some of the mud. When he stepped out of the muddy hole, his left shoe got stuck and popped off while he hopped to dry land. Let's hope it's not a sign of what’s to come for his restaurant venture.

[CrimsonTide4]

Alicia Keys Expands into TV and Movies

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Confucius
Right....I noticed how so many people are hating on Star.

You say hating, someone else can call it discussing, another may say debating. However each person assesses it, it's still an opinion.

That's message boards for ya...gotta love it, for some hate it!

[unspokenone25]

Ellen Johnson Sirleafe gestures during her inaugural address after she was sworn in as the first female president of Liberia at an inauguration ceremony today at the Capitol Building in Monrovia, Liberia.
JIM WATSON: AFP/Getty Images



Jan. 16, 2006, 11:49AM
Africa's first female elected leader sworn in
Sirleaf vows 'fundamental break' with Liberia's violent past


Associated Press

MONROVIA, Liberia — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pledged a "fundamental break" with Liberia's violent past as she was sworn in today as president, carving her name into history as Africa's first elected female head of state.

Wearing a traditional African headdress, Sirleaf took the oath of office in a ceremony attended by thousands of Liberians and scores of foreign dignitaries, including first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"We know that your vote was a vote for change, a vote for peace, security ... and we have heard you loudly," Sirleaf said in her inaugural speech.

"We recognize this change is not a change for change's sake, but a fundamental break with the past, therefore requiring that we take a bold and decisive steps to address the problems that have for decades stunted our progress," she said.

Standing in front of a one-starred Liberian flag with her left hand on a Bible, Sirleaf pledged to "faithfully, conscientiously and impartially discharge the duties and functions of the office of president of the Republic of Liberia to the best of my abilities, so help me God."

Sirleaf takes charge of a nation struggling for peace after a quarter century of coups and war and she has promised to unite it.

Speaking for the first time as president, she also pledged to stamp out corruption to secure the trust of skeptical foreign donors whose aid is desperately needed to rebuild.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated Sirleaf, saying she had a "historic mandate to lead the nation toward a future of lasting peace and stability."

Security was tight at today's ceremony, with armed U.N. peacekeepers surveying the scene from atop surrounding buildings with binoculars.

The U.N. has redeployed 500 peacekeepers previously stationed outside the capital to strategic points in Monrovia and the international airport. Liberian police, though unarmed, have also increased their presence on the streets.

Two U.S. Navy warships also were visible offshore for the first time since the war ended in 2003, a rare show of support also meant to protect two high-profile guests: Mrs. Bush and Rice. Also attending were several African heads of state, including Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo and South Africa's Thabo Mbeki.

Sirleaf will serve a six-year term as head of Africa's oldest republic, founded by freed American slaves in 1847. The country has known little but war, however, since a rebel group led by Charles Taylor plunged the country into chaos, invading from neighboring Ivory Coast in 1989.

Taylor became president in 1997 but stepped down and was exiled to Nigeria as part of the 2003 peace deal brokered as rebels pressed on the capital. He is now wanted on war crimes charges by a U.N.-backed war crimes court in Sierra Leone for his role in backing a brutal rebel group during that country's 1991-2002 civil war.

On a flight to Monrovia, Rice told reporters Taylor "is through raping and pillaging this country, and the Liberian people are trying to look forward."

Nigeria has refused to hand Taylor over to the court and Sirleaf has said only that she would consult with regional leaders regarding Taylor's future. Rice said she's confident Sirleaf will work to hand Taylor over to the Sierra Leone court.

Rich in diamonds, iron ore and timber, Liberia was relatively prosperous and peaceful until a 1980 coup saw illiterate Master Sgt. Samuel Doe seize power and order Cabinet ministers tied to poles in their underwear and executed.

Harvard-educated Sirleaf was finance minister at the time, but was spared, she told The Associated Press in a recent interview, "by the grace of God."

Twice imprisoned in the 1980s by Doe's junta, Sirleaf fled into exile.

When Taylor launched a rebel invasion in 1989, Sirleaf briefly supported him — a move that still draws criticism today. The war saw children as young as 10 take up arms. Fighting uprooted half the country's 3 million people and killed 200,000.

A truce paved the way for presidential elections in 1997 that Sirleaf lost to Taylor. The brazen bid earned her the nickname "Iron Lady."

After another rebel war forced Taylor from power in 2003, Sirleaf ran for president again, this time winning a heated November run-off buoyed by a resume that included senior jobs at Citibank, the U.N. and the World Bank. Her soccer star rival, George Weah, was backed by ex-rebel leaders and many ex-combatants.

[AKA2D '91]

You're late. There is a thread that already exists.

She was on the Today show on Monday.

[unspokenone25]

Dang! I am always LATE on stuff!

[HeartbrAKA]

Lathan Denies Fling With Denzel Washington
Jan 17, 3:38 PM EST


The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Sanaa Lathan denies she had an affair with Denzel Washington, her co-star in the 2003 thriller "Out of Time," in the February issue of Vibe.

"(The rumor) got started because the movie had a love scene with Denzel, and people took that and translated it to real life," the 34-year-old actress tells the magazine, now on newsstands.

"They said I was pregnant with Denzel's child, and people were calling my mother, saying I'm having his baby. It's frustrating. People are going to talk no matter what."

Washington, 51, has been married to his wife, Pauletta, for 22 years.

A call by The Associated Press to the actor's representative wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.

Lathan stars in the upcoming romantic comedy "Something New."

Washington, who won Oscars for his roles in "Glory" and "Training Day," stars in Spike Lee's new film, "Inside Man."

[litAKAtor]

Originally posted by HeartbrAKA
Lathan Denies Fling With Denzel Washington
Jan 17, 3:38 PM EST


The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Sanaa Lathan denies she had an affair with Denzel Washington, her co-star in the 2003 thriller "Out of Time," in the February issue of Vibe.

"(The rumor) got started because the movie had a love scene with Denzel, and people took that and translated it to real life," the 34-year-old actress tells the magazine, now on newsstands.

"They said I was pregnant with Denzel's child, and people were calling my mother, saying I'm having his baby. It's frustrating. People are going to talk no matter what."

Washington, 51, has been married to his wife, Pauletta, for 22 years.

A call by The Associated Press to the actor's representative wasn't immediately returned Tuesday.

Lathan stars in the upcoming romantic comedy "Something New."

Washington, who won Oscars for his roles in "Glory" and "Training Day," stars in Spike Lee's new film, "Inside Man."

OKay, I know this is not in line with what the thread is about , but I have to ask: did anyone else hear that Denzel and his wife are seperating because she discovered he was having an affiar . . I heard it on the radio . . . please tell me it ain't so . . .

[rho4life]

Whitney & Bobby may have made
a split decision

Are Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown finally ending their troubled 14-year marriage?

A Lowdown spy reports that the 36-year-old Brown - who shares a 12-year-old daughter with the 42-year-old R&B superstar - has been telling friends and acquaintances they're splitsville.

The weekend before last, during a visit to the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Conn., Brown was spotted chatting up pretty women backstage while the all-girl group SWV (which stands for Sisters With Voices) performed along with male groups Guy and Blackstreet.

"While flirting with a bunch of women, they asked, 'What's up with your wife?' Bobby said, 'We ain't together no more. We're getting a divorce,' " says the spy.

If the divorce report is true, then Whitney and Bobby might have gotten their last bit of ink as a famous pair with Ebony magazine's "10 Hottest Couples" feature in the latest issue. The Bravo reality show "Being Bobby Brown" spotlighted intimate details of their marriage.

Brown, who's been trying to revive his career as a crooner with a national concert tour this spring, told folks at Foxwoods that he wants SWV to go on tour with him. At one point in the evening, Teddy Riley, founder of the trio Guy, lured Brown onstage to perform an old hit.

The song was titled, maybe appropriately, "My Prerogative."

Brown and Houston's PR rep didn't respond to Lowdown's detailed messages yesterday.

-from http://www.nydailynews.com/news/goss...p-325522c.html

[Steeltrap]

What the heezy is Fiddy wearing? A shiny suit? Mesh? That jigja needs a stylist STAT.

[emeraldAKA99]

^^^^^^
At least this shiny suit is better than the cutoff blouse / windblown tie he wore on the cover of GQ.

[Honeykiss1974]

I think I have a purse made out of that material.