Celebrity News for the SU2K3

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by Bamboozled
Lighter Latifah

If it looks like Queen Latifiah is walking with a lighter bounce in her step, it's because she is. These days the singer-turned-actress is carrying a much lighter load -- and it's mostly due to breast reduction surgery. According to World Entertainment News Network, the voluptuous star who wowed audiences last year with her sultry voice and ample cleavage in "Chicago" has decided to cut her bust size down from a cumbersome DD cup to a highly manageable C.

And get this, in a refreshing twist on public relations, the Queen's spokesperson admits to it. "It was mainly for her health," says Amanda Silverman. "Queen works with a trainer and does a lot of kickboxing, and working out was difficult for her. She was suffering from back pain and felt this was the best solution. She's absolutely thrilled with the results."

In addition to losing the bothersome boobs, she's also stayed true to exercise and has dropped close to 40 pounds. In case you preferred Latifah's previous bosom bounty, I'm afraid you're out of luck. You won't be able to view those bodacious breasts again unless you taped the March 23 Academy Awards, where she graced the red carpet in a form-fitting blue Escada gown in all her DD glory.

I'm glad to read that Queen did have the reduction and lost the weight for health reasons. But being that she is in Hollywood, I hope that she didn't fall prey to the stick-insect syndrome.

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I'm glad to read that Queen did have the reduction and lost the weight for health reasons. But being that she is in Hollywood, I hope that she didn't fall prey to the stick-insect syndrome.

LMBO @ stick-insect syndrome. ST, you are too funny!!!

[Kimmie1913]

Originally posted by Gina1201
NEW YORK — Her album came out Tuesday, she has one of the hottest songs on radio, and her first video just hit the airwaves.

This is what Lumidee Cedeño has dreamed about doing for many of her 19 years, but even she will admit that sometimes it seems like things are moving too fast.

Three months ago, the Spanish Harlem native didn't have a record deal with a major label; six months ago, performing in front of more than 50,000 people at Summer Jam was just a dream. And when it happened, the reality was Lumi had to overcome stage fright for what was only her third concert ever.

"I've been recording like two and a half, three years, but [my producers] didn't really try to shop [for a record deal] because I wasn't ready mentally," said the lifelong around-the-way girl. "I could record, but I was too scared to perform in front of people. So they was like, 'You gotta break out of that because things could change from one day to the next. What if people want to sign you?' "

The prophecy of her producers Trendsetta and DJ TedSmooth panned out just as her hit club banger "Never Leave You (Uh-Oooh)" started taking off in February. Incorporating Lumi's now signature "Uh oh, uh oh" croons and the same irresistible Diwali riddim that fueled Sean Paul's "Get Busy" and Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go," the record has become one the most played in the clubs this year and is climbing the charts.

" 'Uh oh,' I can't take credit for that," she admitted, sitting in New York's Right Track studios. "The song was too short and Ted said, 'Write a bridge.' He was like, 'Just say "Uh oh." ' I recorded it and I hated it. But it's just so catchy. I think it just blew up like that because it's different. It's like, 'What is she singing?' Either you not gonna like it or you gonna love it. Some people be like, 'I hate this sh--.' And the people who like it really like it. I don't know, I don't have such a strong voice, but it's different. I don't sing like I came straight from church, but it's different. Whoever likes it wants to hear something new."

While fans of the song may be falling in love with how it mixes R&B, reggae and smidgens of freestyle to create a fresh sound, they're actually hearing an old song. Lumi recorded it almost a year ago just to give TedSmooth something to spin in the clubs. As it picked up during Smooth's gigs, he passed it along to his fellow turntablist friends, and eventually it popped on radio.

Smooth, who signed Lumi to his Straight Face label, was soon fielding offers from heavyweights like Def Jam, Roc-A-Fella, Epic and Arista. They eventually decided to go with Kedar Massenburg and Universal in late April, leaving Lumi to quickly master multitasking. People were clamoring to book her for shows, but she also had to abruptly turn around and record most of her debut, Almost Famous, in a matter of weeks to make the June 24 release date. She said doing both put a strain on her voice, but she worked through it.

"We have to rush," Lumi said in early May, two weeks after signing with Universal. "I was always recording, so that's good or I would have been real stuck. A lot of stuff was reference tracks, so we went back and re-recorded everything."

Lumi did have a little help on the mic. She already had a song with Nore, the probable second single "Crashin' a Party," and Busta Rhymes and Fabolous reached out to her to be on the remix of "Never Leave You."

"I was loving her song," Fab said. "I had the chance to call up and speak to her one day and she said she'd love to have me on the song. We made it happen from there."

"All these people, of course I would look to them to be on my songs, but we ain't got Busta and Fab money," she said. "We don't have Nore money. They just hollered at us like, 'Yo, that is hot; I want to get on that.' All this is just amazing."

—Shaheem Reid

I have to say I am one of the people who hates this song. To me she sounds even worse than Adhanti. Sorry to anyone who is a fan.

[delph998]

Dang, is Minnesota that slow?!!! I have not heard this song-EVER!

[Gina1201]

Originally posted by Kimmie1913
I have to say I am one of the people who hates this song. To me she sounds even worse than Adhanti. Sorry to anyone who is a fan.

I like the song since the beat is the same as Wayne Wonder, but I wouldn't call myself a fan OR buy the album.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by delph998
Dang, is Minnesota that slow?!!! I have not heard this song-EVER!

WHUH? You all need to thaw out! LOL

Just watch MTV2, BET, or MTV...you'll see her and hear the song. I'm tired of the song! It's NOT ALL THAT! IMO

You won't remember it nor LUMIDEE in 5 years. LOL

[AKA2D '91]

Mystikal was sentenced to 5 years of probation for the case of the sex crime against his hairstylist.

[Afrochic]

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 26, 2003

Cedric The Entertainer is leaving the Fox Network. The Fox network has pulled the plug on the show Cedric The Entertainer Presents Cedric wants to pursue his movie career. We will see unseen episodes of the show next fall.

Luther Vandross has been moved to a rehab hospital. Luther suffered a devastating stroke on April and he is undergoing a long recovery. Luther is currently topping the charts with the No. 1 LP in the country “Dance with my Father”.

Are we going to see a new J-Lo in the future? According to published reports Jennifer Lopez’s fiancé Ben Affleck wants her to undergo a makeover. Apparently Ben wants to see more class and less ass. He’s tired of her image as a demanding oversexed diva. Jennifer recently fired her manager saying she wants to go in a new direction. Ben wants to go into politics once his acting career dies down and friends say he wants Jennifer to look and act like a politicians wife.

Actor Mekhi Phifer is not making friends on the set of the NBC show ER. I hear he treats his co-workers like dirt because he wants to be the next breakout star on the show. Mekhi wants to be the next George Clooney. Mekhi has a way of pissing people off, his recent interview in Honey Magazine about his ex wife did not endear him to a lot of people. Mekhi was married to Actress Malinda Williams (Bird on the Showtime series SoulFood). Mekhi admitted cheating on Malinda and said it was her fault. They have a young son, in the interview he did praise her as a mother but he also made some embarrassing comments about her.

Dr J, Julius Erving has resigned as Senior Vice President of the Orlando Magic. Dr J was with them for six years, he says he is leaving to pursue other interests. Maybe he’ll come back and work with the 76ers in some capacity? Just wishful thinking.

American Idol Winner, Ruben Studdard is coming to the movies. Ruben will have a part in the new Scooby Two Movie Monsters unleashed. The movie comes out next March, Ruben is playing the lead singer in a band he’ll be singing Earth Wind and Fire’s ‘Shining Star’. In other Idol news the new Kelly Clarkson/Justin Guarini movie From Kelly to Justin bombed at the box office.

Prince is coming out with a live DVD later this year, “Prince Live from Las Vegas”.

New Edition is gearing up for their 20th anniversary. They have a new L.P. coming out in September and they are working on a movie and a book. Ralph, Ricky, Johnny, Ronnie and Mike will not be joined by Bobby Brown. Bobby may join them occasionally on tour.

[AKA2D '91]

See I know I'm hallucinating, right? It IS 1AM

1. Ben wants to run for office? He doesn't want to marry J-ho then does he?
LMAO@ more class, less ass!

2. Mekhi wants to be the next "breakout" actor.Ummmmm, you have been in the game for a lonnnnnnnggggg time. It's about time for you to retire, right? Sit your azz down nucca!

3. Ruben, don't do it! You see what happened with Kelly and Justin. They said their movie was the WORST movie musical EVER. I guess it made Grease 2 look like that shiznit! LOL

4. Bobby...oh Bobby...give it up! Stay at home!

[Gina1201]

To add on to what Afrochic posted J. Lo and Ben will have a special on NBC on July 17th.

De De from the Doug Banks morning show reported that:

1. There will definately be a second season of America's Next Top Model.

AND

2. Solange Knowles, Beyonce's little sis, may be joining Destiny's Child as the fourth member.

[Gina1201]

Alright, here is the official article to my last post:

Another child may be on her way to Destiny.

When Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams reconvene next year, the independent women will likely be joined by another singer.

Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles said Thursday (June 26) he's considering adding his other daughter, Solange, to the group.

Solange has been in the group before, when she temporally filled in after Rowland broke two toes in the fall of 2000. She's also opened for Destiny's Child as a solo act and collaborated with Beyoncé and Rowland in the studio.

If Beyoncé's sister joins the group, it won't be the first time Destiny's Child have been a quartet. The group started with four members —
Beyoncé Rowland, LaToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson — in the early '90s. In early 2000, Luckett and Roberson were controversially replaced by Williams and Farrah Franklin, who left five months later.

Mathew told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday he was definitely adding a fourth member, but later told MTV News he was just throwing the idea out
there to see what kind of reaction he would get. "And judging by what I've heard, it seems like a good idea," he said.

Destiny's Child will likely test the waters with Solange by collaborating on a song for a soundtrack later this year, he said.

In the meantime, Solange is recording her second solo album, which is due early next year. The project will include a duet with Bow Wow, who is
co-starring with the singer in a movie due around the same time.

Mathew said Destiny's Child will reconvene at the start of 2004, while Beyoncé said last week it could be next September. However, no matter how successful her solo venture is or whatever else might happen in the interim, Beyoncé said the group will definitely not split.

"The point is I love Kelly and I love Michelle, and we're friends and I love performing with them on the stage," she said. "We support each other.
And I love being in Destiny's Child. That's why I've been in Destiny's Child for nine years. I don't care how many records I sell. I'm still doing another album with them because I enjoy being in the group and I enjoy being in the studio. And the only way I won't [record with them] is if we aren't friends anymore, and I don't see that happening."

While Beyoncé promotes Dangerously in Love and Rowland stars in "Freddy vs. Jason", Williams will record her second gospel album.

"It's going to be different," Williams said at Tuesday's BET Awards. "I'm working with a lot more producers that I want to work with, so I'm very excited about that. I'm working with a producer by the name of Tommy Simms who [co-]penned the song 'Change the World' for Eric Clapton, so I'm kind of going for a more earthy, inspirational type."

Williams, who has songs already finished, is also working with her brother, producer Aaron Williams, and writing much more of her own material, which will cover more about relationships, including looking for love.

"Just about stuff people my age are going through," she said. "I know my market is gospel, but at the same time, just because it's gospel doesn't mean I can't talk about a breakup or a heartbreak or whatever has happened, you know, from a woman's perspective and how God has helped me through that."

—Corey Moss

[Gina1201]

1. Chris Tucker is considering doing Rush Hour 3 for $20 million.

2. The entertainment segment reported what we had already heard, that Brand and husabnd Robert are in fact separating. It was also reported that Brandy is 8 months pregnant.

[toocute]

Originally posted by Afrochic

New Edition is gearing up for their 20th anniversary. They have a new L.P. coming out in September and they are working on a movie and a book. Ralph, Ricky, Johnny, Ronnie and Mike will not be joined by Bobby Brown. Bobby may join them occasionally on tour.

HOORAY!!!!

*insert clapping smilie here!!*

[toocute]

Originally posted by Gina1201

2. The entertainment segment reported what we had already heard, that Brand and husabnd Robert are in fact separating. It was also reported that Brandy is 8 months pregnant.

Yeah They're going to remain friends and raise the kids BUT I heard on NY HOT 97.1 that the real reason why Robert is bouncing is because Sy'rai (or whatever the child's name is) isn't his!!! Can someone find out if this is true????


DRAMA!!!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Gina1201
1. Chris Tucker is considering doing Rush Hour 3 for $20 million.

2. The entertainment segment reported what we had already heard, that Brand and husabnd Robert are in fact separating. It was also reported that Brandy is 8 months pregnant.

1.

2. STFU