News: Spring Edition

[jitterbug13]

I saw the Larry King Live with Jermaine Jackson last night. He says that he didn't right the stuff and I believe him. Jermaine and Michael have always been close, even as kids, and he wouldn't do such a thing to hurt Michael. He was one of them main people who was defending him during the trial.

Jermaine said he thinks it's coming from an old family friend, who was helping him write the orginal book. This friend also (supposely) helped a former Jackson employee write a book about Michael, which did not put him in a positive light. Most likely, there will be some lawsuits flying because of this.

Condolences to the Puckett and the Reeves families, espcially Will. He's lost both parents in less than two years.

[RedVelvet]

Originally posted by rho4life
I am a FIRM believer in the separation of church and state. While I may never decide to have an abortion, I don't want someone else restricing my right to decide what to do with my body.

AND no sane (or compassionate) person would force any woman to have a rapist's or a blood relative's child. The thought is horrific!

[jitterbug13]

'The Young and the Restless' star Victoria Rowell took home her very last NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series when the show was taped on Feb. 25 at the Shrine Auditorium. The soap opera veteran revealed backstage at the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards that she would take a page from Oprah Winfrey, who in 1999 removed herself from future Emmy consideration, and recuse herself from the Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series category.

"I have won consecutively, and I want to give way to other actresses. I feel that if I do not submit myself, then I give an opportunity to younger actresses in daytime television. There are so many actresses, and I think that I should do that," said Rowell.

When probed about reports that she's dating Oscar-winning actor/chart-topping singer Jamie Foxx, Rowell's reply wasn't exactly a denial: "Jamie Foxx and I share a very, very deep connection in that two women of no relation raised us. We share that, and we're kindred in that way. So when Jamie and I see each other, it may appear to the public that, you know, that it's a lot more. But it is a lot more! Because we are who we are. He's very special to me."

Rumor Control

Here's an attempt to put an end to another bogus Internet hoax. The heavily-circulated Internet report claiming that Grammy-winning gospel artist and New York-based pastor, Hezekiah Walker had "come out" and disclosed that he was a "homosexual" is a complete fabrication. Among the disparaging remarks in the two variations of the false news item-one by MediaTakeOut.com and the other courtesy of MusicNewsWeekly.com-were that Walker "forced his wife and children from their home so that he could live in peace with his transvestite lover;" "infected [his soon-to-be ex-wife Monique] with a sexually transmitted disease;" and that "many churchgoers left the church because of all the rumors." It was also implied Walker would step down as pastor of his Love Fellowship Crusade Tabernacle Church.

Walker sent a letter to his parishioners assuring them that the reports were all fictitious. "I'm very proud to be called your Pastor. Please be assured that I would never do anything to bring shame to you or the body of Christ. The enemy seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Character assassination is one of the oldest weapons. People weak in mind believe the worst about everyone," he wrote. "The Satanic email and rumor is a sure sign that this is our Year of Increase. If the enemy is going to get me, he must come better than a transvestite and a blonde wig. As for all of the haters, I'm not taking a step down, but a step up. We will continue to preach against sin and promote deliverance! I refuse to let this distract me, so don't you become distracted. Always remember never chase a lie, because the truth will prevail."

Walker's ex father-in-law, Bishop Carl E. Williams Jr., followed with a statement of his own: "This writing comes on behalf of one of our Brothers in Christ who has come under a vicious and brutal attack via of the Internet. If their marriage failed, it is nobody's business other than Hezekiah and Monique. All or most of what was reported to have gone on during the divorce hearing is a lie. I know because I was there in support of my daughter."

MusicNewsWeekly.com has since offered a retraction of the story with an acknowledgement of irresponsible reporting.

Big Dreams

Journalists were in awe of Beyonce Knowles' surprisingly svelte figure, since the singer has dropped more than 15 pounds because of the rigorous dancing required for her role in 'Dreamgirls.' A costume-clad Knowles performed a brief number with fellow 'Dreamgirls' cast members Jennifer Hudson ('American Idol') and Tony-winning Broadway darling Anika Noni Rose during the fabulous media presentation at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles last week.

Jamie Foxx was on hand to talk about the movie, and exclaimed, "To see Eddie Murphy actually excited about something is amazing!" The 'Ray' star did a dead-on impersonation of Murphy. There's early 2007 Oscar buzz about Murphy's portrayal of James "Thunder" Early in 'Dreamgirls.'

Co-star Keith Robinson ('Fat Albert') was at the soiree and said that he is already eager for people to see the project. "People keep asking me when is it coming out," he said laughing. Director Bill Condon ('Chicago'), choreographer Fatima Robinson and costume designer Sharen Davis ('Ray') were also there to greet the more than 100 members of the press.

And Hudson received her first award less than two months into the production of 'Dreamgirls.' The 'A.I.' finalist was honored with a Female Star of Tomorrow Award during the 2006 ShoWest Movie Picture Industry Association ceremony in February.

Buzzworthy

General Motors, one of the sponsors of the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards, hosted its annual must-attend Stars and GM Cars Celebrity Brunch at The Cabana Club in Los Angeles. 'Love Inc.' star Holly Robinson Peete hosted the affair, which also featured a live concert set by Macy Gray. Among the Hollywood personalities present for the brunch were Mehcad Brooks ('Desperate Housewives'), Kym Whitley, Michael B. Jordan ('All My Children'), Omarosa Manigault, Tyrese, Marla Gibbs ('227'), Oakland Raider Grant Irons, Rolonda Watts, Lee Daniels ('Monster's Ball'), Roger E. Mosley ('Magnum P.I.'), radio talent Big Lez, Herbie Hancock, Debbie Allen, singer Norwood Young, author Karrine Steffans and Cuba Gooding Jr. Peete poked fun at herself for never winning an NAACP Image Award while hosting. "I'm the Susan Lucci of the Image Awards. I've been nominated so many times and have never won. I stopped counting at 12," she said jokingly. Peete also showed pictures of her children that had them holding up signs begging for General Motors to give them a new fully-loaded S.U.V. "I'm not beyond begging," she added.

'American Idol' contestant Ace Young is dating 'Half & Half' star Essence Atkins. The actress introduced this columnist to Young at the 2004 NAACP Image Awards, after I teased her about the then rumors of her dating Eric Benet. I was familiar with Young because singer Brian McKnight and his manager Silas White had told me about the "talented white guy" they had been working with during a press junket to Paris months prior to that. Atkins and Young were introduced by a mutual friend and began dating around Valentine's Day in 2005. He even guest-starred on an episode of 'Half & Half' last fall. The two are still an item and though they aren't able to spend a lot of time together because of his 'Idol' schedule, they text message each other religiously.

Vivica A. Fox's film 'The Salon' has found a home at MGM Pictures and is slated to be in theaters this spring. The movie, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, was acquired by MGM Pictures even after the studio sued producer Mark Brown for doing the project. 'The Salon' also stars Darrin Henson ('Soul Food'), Kym Whitley ('Deliver Us From Eva'), Dondre Whitfield ('Mr. 3000'), Monica Calhoun ('The Best Man') and Oscar nominee Terrence Howard.

Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole fractured her right arm the other day when she slipped and fell on the set of the ABC hit 'Grey's Anatomy.' Cole, who will guest-star as a surgical patient, was rushed from the pretend medical hospital to a real one in Encino, Calif. The diagnosis was a break in the radius bone between the wrist and the elbow. Cole returned to the set with her arm in a sling and did her scenes from a bed.

Can't Say Names ...

Sources say that rumored tension between two neo-soul sirens are at an all-time high because of some catty remarks made by one of the singers. Reports of there being a riff between the two caftan-covered vocalists at the beginning of one of the belter's career had been brushed off as "media hype." However, some snide comments by one of the songstresses during a recent documentary taping have apparently caused the claws to come back out. Don't expect these two to duet again anytime soon. Erkyah and Jill Scott, "documentary" gave it away

BV Scene

Television's Judge Greg Mathis hosted a brunch at his gated home on a hillside in Beverly Hills to introduce his Stand Up For Youth Crusade 2006. Among those dining on the decadent breakfast of salmon, sun-dried chicken, scrambled eggs, asparagus, fruit and home-style potatoes were Kellita Smith ('The Bernie Mac Show'), Rolonda Watts, Omarosa Manigault, Eunetta T. Boone (executive producer of 'One on One' and 'Cuts'), Roger E. Mosley ('Magnum P.I.') and media mavens Priscilla ClarkeZ, Wylissa Bennett and Reid Johnson... Rapper-actress Eve, film producer Nia Hill ('The Seat Filler'), rapper Won-G, singer Sharissa, Omarosa Manigault and Alex Avant ('Hair Show') having brunch, separately, at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, while actress Vanessa Bell Calloway ('Biker Boyz') was spotted carrying a large vase of red roses outside the hotel... Nelly, Tyrese, Willie McGinnis, porn star Mr. Marcus, singer Tank, Busta Rhymes, Terrell Owens, comic Deray Davis and auto writer Kimatni Rawlins at Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis' birthday party at the Vine Street Lounge in West Hollywood... Jerry Springer, Jay-Z, Magic Johnson, Bow Wow and Sony Urban Music Senior Vice President Yvette Noel-Schure among those maneuvering around the swank Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

[enigma_AKA]

I never knew they had beef. If this is true, then this is too bad.

enigma_AKA

Originally posted by jitterbug13
Can't Say Names ...

Sources say that rumored tension between two neo-soul sirens are at an all-time high because of some catty remarks made by one of the singers. Reports of there being a riff between the two caftan-covered vocalists at the beginning of one of the belter's career had been brushed off as "media hype." However, some snide comments by one of the songstresses during a recent documentary taping have apparently caused the claws to come back out. Don't expect these two to duet again anytime soon. Erkyah and Jill Scott, "documentary" gave it away

[RedefinedDiva]

Photographer, filmmaker Gordon Parks dies
Artist chronicled black America for 'Life' magazine, directed movie 'Shaft'

Updated: 10:56 p.m. ET March 7, 2006
NEW YORK - Gordon Parks, who captured the struggles and triumphs of black America as a photographer for Life magazine and then became Hollywood’s first major black director with “The Learning Tree” and the hit “Shaft,” died Tuesday, a family member said. He was 93.

Parks, who also wrote fiction and was an accomplished composer, died in New York, his nephew, Charles Parks, said in a telephone interview from Lawrence, Kan.

“Nothing came easy,” Parks wrote in his autobiography. “I was just born with a need to explore every tool shop of my mind, and with long searching and hard work. I became devoted to my restlessness.”

Story continues here

[2Tuff2Quit]

This was just gross............




"Vivica A. Fox, pictured here at the Soul Train Music Awards, proudly shows off her severe case of capsular contracture.
What the heck is that, you ask? It's scar tissue that forms around the implant which causes the breasts to harden (similar to what a contracted muscle feels like) as the naturally forming scar tissue around the implant tightens and squeezes it."

The Source

[enigma_AKA]

^^^^ You'd think she'd invest in some non-cleavaged dresses. This look likes a basketball with some air let out on one side. Yuck!

enigma_AKA

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by enigma_AKA
^^^^ You'd think she'd invest in some non-cleavaged dresses. This look likes a basketball with some air let out on one side. Yuck!

enigma_AKA

LMAO!! I saw this on one of my celeb blogs this morning and they said: As previously pointed out by those crazy kids at Oh No They Didn't and Perez Hilton, Vivica's ______ look like somebody backed an El Camino into it.

[AKA2D '91]

Oh.no.Vivvy!

[jitterbug13]

Ewwww! It looks like they are deflating!!

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by jitterbug13
I saw the Larry King Live with Jermaine Jackson last night.

What's going on with his hair? Most of my attention was focused on THAT.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by 2Tuff2Quit
This was just gross............




"Vivica A. Fox, pictured here at the Soul Train Music Awards, proudly shows off her severe case of capsular contracture.
What the heck is that, you ask? It's scar tissue that forms around the implant which causes the breasts to harden (similar to what a contracted muscle feels like) as the naturally forming scar tissue around the implant tightens and squeezes it."

The Source

Clawd. Vivvy really has hit a new low. Dating Fiddy. Dropping it like it's lukewarm with Lil' STD. And now scar tissue around the breatasiz.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
LMAO!! I saw this on one of my celeb blogs this morning and they said: As previously pointed out by those crazy kids at Oh No They Didn't and Perez Hilton, Vivica's ______ look like somebody backed an El Camino into it.

I love Crunk and Disorderly, as well as Concrete Loop and Young, Black and Fabulous (whose creator is a Delta, BTW.)

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
I love Crunk and Disorderly, as well as Concrete Loop and Young, Black and Fabulous (whose creator is a Delta, BTW.)

I don't think I have read YBF yet. I've seen the link though. Thanks for the BTW FYI.

C & D is my favorite.

[jitterbug13]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
What's going on with his hair? Most of my attention was focused on THAT.

LOL! I think him and Jackie got the same hairstylist because both of their hair is like that. At least they don't be hitting up the Hawaiian Silky like Michael!