:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of May 23rd, 2005:
Where is Matthew Knowles? Beyonce's dad is missing in action as controversy swirls around the Knowles family. Matthew Knowles is the driving force behind Destiny's Child and Beyonce's career. He is also the head of Sanctuary Group Records, his personal record label. Matthew is no stranger to controversy. There has been talk of drugs and women in his past, but he has been able to keep it hidden until now. Word has it the relationship between Beyonce and her dad is strained because Matthew was caught fooling around with one of Beyonce's backup dancers. Friends fear he is hiding in South Beach Florida on a drug binge. He has not been seen in weeks. He used to go off on drug binges years ago. Beyonce wants to fire her dad as her manager, but she can't because of his contract. He is still on her payroll, but she wants nothing to do with him. She feels betrayed because he cheated on her mom. This isn't the first time he cheated on Tina Knowles. He just got caught publicly. Spokespeople for Sanctuary Records have released a statement claiming all is well with the label, and that they are not in danger of folding. Sounds like some serious damage control to me. Why hasn't Matthew spoken? Who is the backup dancer? Is she in love with Mr. Knowles, or did the affair come to light because she is looking for some money? Will Jay-Z now take over Beyonce's career and be her manager? With Matthew missing, is the Knowles' entertainment dynasty in trouble? Let's talk about it! Email me at
Pattyj1053@aol.com
Will Singer Jill Scott be a Dreamgirl? Producers for the upcoming movie are interested in "Jilly from Philly." Are they considering her for the Jennifer Holiday role of 'Effie?' Beyonce and Jamie Foxx are already signed on for the movie. Usher and Eddie Murphy are still in talks for roles. Dreamgirls, the movie based on the Broadway musical, is due in theatres in late 2006.
The Isley Brothers have resumed touring. Last year was not a good one for Ronald Isley. He suffered a stroke and his tax troubles almost landed him in jail. The Isley Brothers recently opened a show in Los Angeles for Alicia Keys. There is no word on whether they will be touring the rest country.
Anita Baker is also touring. She's starting out on a mini-tour visiting cities such as Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. Let's hope she extends her tour to Philly or Atlantic City.
Stevie Wonder's long awaited album, A Time For Love, has been delayed again. Stevie says he wants to release the best album possible. Sources for his record label claim he turned in an incomplete album. The first single, So What The Fuss, is already topping the charts. The second single is a beautiful ballad called, From The Bottom Of My Heart.
Do you remember Russell Simmon's Def Comedy Jam? Russell's late night HBO comedy show made stars out of Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, Adele Givens, Sommore and Bill Bellamy, just to name a few. Puffy is now ready to follow in Russell's footsteps on HBO with his comedy show, P-Diddy Presents The Bad Boys Of Comedy. The show premieres June 10th. There will be nine shows, Doug E. Fresh will be hosting and Puffy will make an appearance at the end of the night's show. The comedy show will air at 11pm, and will be followed by new episode of Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam.
If there's trouble, you can bet Bobby Brown is near by. Two young members of his entourage were stabbed during a fight inside an Atlanta restaurant. Bobby was not involved, but he was there. The two young men were taken to the hospital to get treated for stab wounds. On June 30th, Bobby's new reality TV show, Being Bobby Brown, premieres on the Bravo Network. In a recent interview, Bobby says Whitney is doing well, and is happy now that she has completed her latest stint in rehab. Last week, they shot new publicity photos with his children for the new reality show. Bobby says he has been in recovery for almost two years (I know at times he doesn't act it). He says he is just looking to re-energize his career.
Author Rita Ewing is back with a new novel. Back in 1998, the ex-wife of NBA Star Patrick Ewing teamed up with Crystal McCrary for the book, Home Court Advantage. The book looked into the steamy side of the NBA. In her latest book, Brick House, Rita talks about the life of an unhappy NBA Wife. Is Rita talking about herself? She says no, even though her marriage ended when she found out Patrick was dating one of the New York Knicks Dancers.
Now speaking of the NBA, folks in Philadelphia are ecstatic over the return of Maurice Cheeks as the new head coach of the 76ers. Maurice was a member of the Sixers' 1983 world championship team. Love ya Mo …welcome home!
The City of Philadelphia is going to be the new home of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation. The foundation's home will probably be on the Avenue of The Arts, and a big gala is set for 2006.
The UPN network has decided to cancel the Taye Diggs drama, Kevin Hill, but don't fret for Taye. He's headed back to the big screen for the movie version of the Broadway musical, Rent. Taye starred in the show on Broadway, and now with his wife, Stage Star Idina Menzel, they will be starring in the movie version. Jesse L. Martin and Rosario Dawson are also starring. The movie Rent hits theatres later this year.
Gospel Sensation Yolanda Adams has a new home with Atlantic Records, and her latest CD, Closer To The Day, is coming out on August 30th. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis lend a hand with producing, and she will be touring this fall.
Tammi Terrell Day in Philly is set for June 16th. The late Philly native and Motown singing partner of Marvin Gaye will also be the subject of a new autobiography written by her sister.
Patti Labelle's latest CD, Classic Moments, is coming out on June 21st. On the CD, she teams up with Babyface, Mary J. Blige and Elton John. Now speaking of Patti and Elton John, they are joining forces for a big concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway on July 4th, followed by fireworks.
The romance is back on for Halle Berry and Actor Michael Ealy. They co-starred in the ABC Movie, Their Eyes Were Watching God. The two were hot and heavy for a moment. Then they came to an impasse when Halle revealed her desire to have a baby and not be married. Ealy wants to do things in proper order. He wants marriage first. Will they compromise? Halle wants a baby right now! Next year, she turns 40. Halle ex, Singer Eric Benet, has announced a release date for his new CD, Hurricane. It comes out June 21st. 
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are the latest investors in the hair and beauty company, Carol's Daughter. The couple recently invested $10 million in the company. I love Carol's Daughter. The hair and skin care products are the best. The company, headed up by Lisa Price, is based in Brooklyn. Jada will be featured as the face of the company. On June 28th, check out the Smiths as they host the BET Awards. Also, check out Jada's voice in the movie, Madagascar. The movie is out this week, and Jada is the voice of "Gloria," the hippo. Chris Rock is also lending his voice to the movie. This is a big week for Rock. In addition to Madagascar, he is co-starring in the prison football movie, The Longest Yard, with Adam Sandler, Nelly and Burt Reynolds.
Oscar Winner Jamie Foxx is a happy man! He's been a nervous wreck over nude photos of him that were found in a trash bin outside his Las Vegas home. A construction worker found the photos. He was going to sell them to the highest bidder, but Jamie was able to buy the photos back.
Singer Mariah Carey has a new best friend and stylist. Vogue Editor At Large Andre Leon Talley is going to put Mariah on the fashion map with her new style in clothing. Under Andre, there will be no more skimpy clothing and outrageous get-ups. Mariah is going to be a style icon after Andre does his magic.
Babyface's new album, Grown and Sexy, is coming out on July 26th. The first single is Sorry For The Stupid Things. Babyface is also coming to Atlantic City. He's doing a show at the Borgata on Friday, July 22nd.
Former NAACP President Kwesi Mfume has admitted to an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer. Mfume says the relationship was short-lived and its over. He also revealed he adopted the woman's son, but she did not receive any preferential treatment when he was in office. Mfume is planning to run for a Senate seat in Maryland.
LaToya Jackson is getting ready to release her new album. On the advice of her managers, she is considering distancing herself from brother Michael's child molestation trial. She may be called to testify in the case. Her advisors have told her to stop attending the trial because it could hurt her career. She just signed a record deal and will be going by her new name, "Toy." A few weeks ago, LaToya's ex-husband, Jack Gordon, died, and she is looking to move in a new direction. Will LaToya turn her back on Michael? He has always been there to pay her bills and get her out of trouble. Is this the way she is going to pay him back?
The Fox network is offering Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie $100 thousand an episode to kiss an make up for the next installment of their show, The Simple Life. The only problem is neither of the girls need the money. They are both rich because of their families. Nicole's dad is Singer Lionel Richie, and he is getting ready to spend thousands on her upcoming wedding.
On June 10th, it's The Honeymooners on the big screen with Cedric "The Entertainer." Cedric is playing the role of "Ralph Kramden," made famous on TV by Jackie Gleason. Mike Epps also stars as "Ed Norton," that role was originally played by Art Carney. Gabrielle Union will play "Alice Kramden," Cedric's big screen wife, and Regina Hall will play Ed's wife, "Trixie." Mike Epps' career is on a roll. He is set to play The Legendary Richard Pryor on the big screen. He will also be starring in the upcoming movies, Roll Bounce with Bow Wow & Nick Cannon and 42.4 Percent with Sanaa Lathan. In a recent interview, Epps says he could relate to Richard Pryor's life because he grew up in the Midwest, dabbled in drugs (Crack) and had a crazy family situation. He claims all of his brothers and sister have different daddies!
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