Celebrity News for the SU2K3

[Afrochic]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Afrochic doesn't post regularly, but you can count on her to give us the SKOOP! Thanks!

No problem Here's the scoop for the week.

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 16, 2003

Luther Vandross’ Latest CD ‘Dance with my Father’ is the No.1 Album in the country. The Album is already at platinum status. Some of the standout cuts include the title track and his duet with Beyonce a remake of the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway’s classic “The Closer I Get To You”. Luther is out of intensive care. Luther suffered a stroke in April and he continues to improve and be responsive. In a few weeks doctors hope to move Luther into a rehab facility. Luther is going to be honored at this year’s Essence Music Festival. Luther was supposed to be one of the performers and in his absence there will be an all star tribute with Patti Labelle, The Luther Vandross Band, Gerald Levert and Faith Evans. They will be performing Luther’s music.

Ruben Studdard the American idol winner just released his new song ‘Flying Without Wings’. The velvet teddy bear is going to be sporting a new look. Ruben says he will no longer wear his trademark 205 jerseys which represent his home state of Alabama. Ruben says he wants to be paid by the company that makes the shirts. Ruben is almost finished his L.P. During a recent concert event with Isaac Hayes, Ruben was asked to take the stage and sing along but he couldn’t because he is not allowed to do any unauthorized singing. This is in his American Idol contract.

Director John Singleton has the honor of having the best movie opening by an African American Director. His latest ‘2Fast 2Furious’ has already sold over 75 million dollars. The movie stars Singer Tyrese and Paul Walker. John is known for the movie ‘Boyz in the Hood’, ‘Poetic Justice’, ‘Baby Boy’ and ‘Rosewood’.

Michael Jackson has settled out of court with his financial advisor. Michael was being sued by his Korean Lawyer for 12 million dollars. The Lawyer claims Michael would not pay him for work he did. Michael decided to settle out of court and avoid a messy trial which would have revealed secrets about his money and fortune.

Queen Latifah has signed on for the action comedy movie ‘Taxi’. Latifah will play a cab driver who teams up with a young cop to solve bank robberies. Latifah has been sporting a new look, she is noticeably slimmer. Did Latifah have breast reduction surgery? That’s the buzz.

Singer Brandy is looking for new management. She is no longer being managed by her mom Sonya Norwood. Brandy is looking to go in a different direction.

Basketball Superstar Michael Jordan had a recent court victory. Michael was being sued by his former mistress. She wanted 5 million dollars to keep quiet about their affair, which happened, from 1989 to 1991 while he was married. A judge recently threw out the lawsuit.

Check out Rapper/Actress Eve on the cover of Allure. She is also featured inside with a hot photo spread. This fall Eve has a new show coming on the UPN Network.

Jennifer Lopez has fired her longtime Manager, Benny Medina. Medina is the man who made Jennifer a star. Sources say she fired him because her fiancé Actor Ben Afleck didn’t like him. Ben thought Medina was too controlling and too demanding.

Floetry the musical duo of Marsha and Natalie will be bringing out a live c.d. soon.

There is a crazy Internet rumor going around the Damien Hall from the music group Guy was found dead. Damien is alive and well and is preparing to work on a project with his brother Aaron Hall. I also hear this rumor is bringing the fellas in Guy back together, at least for one song.

Actor Taye Diggs who is best known for his role as Winston in ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ and the movies ‘The Best Man’ and ‘The Wood’ opens up in the new issue of Honey Magazine about his love for Black Women. Taye is married to a white woman; actress Idina Mizell but he says just because he married outside his race doesn’t mean he has no love or respect for black women. Taye says he just fell in love with a woman who won his heart. He says it had nothing to do with race.

Ashanti will not be touring with Mariah Carey on her Charmbracelet tour. Mariah has decided to do smaller venues.

[kiml122]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
Her name is Delores E. Jordan. . . I found the book info, you know where to look.

Yes this is the sister that lives in Philly. She lives around the corner from my back in the day best friend. Mike use to come visit her at times, but he rarely tried to help her or her kids out financially.

[kiml122]

Originally posted by Afrochic
No problem Here's the scoop for the week.

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 16, 2003


Actor Taye Diggs who is best known for his role as Winston in ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’ and the movies ‘The Best Man’ and ‘The Wood’ opens up in the new issue of Honey Magazine about his love for Black Women. Taye is married to a white woman; actress Idina Mizell but he says just because he married outside his race doesn’t mean he has no love or respect for black women. Taye says he just fell in love with a woman who won his heart. He says it had nothing to do with race.

Oh give me a break with it all

Mariah has decided to do smaller venues.

Because she found that she can't fill the larger ones...he he he

[Confucius]

Maybe this is a part of my imagination, but I could of sworn Chris Rock clowned Mr. Diggs a few years ago when he was talking mess about black women. If I am wrong, I apologize.

[FeeFee]

Bryant will wear the Nike, not Jordan, brand

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Darren Rovell
ESPN.com


In a season of unprecedented shoe deal free agency, the world's number one athletic shoe maker is signing the most coveted available athletes.

On May 20, Nike signed former Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony to a six-year deal worth roughly $3 million per year. The next day, future No. 1 pick LeBron James was paid $90 million to wear the Swoosh for seven years.

On Wednesday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher that the shoe giant, which owns roughly 40 percent of the U.S. shoe market, is close to signing Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant. Bryant's SFX agent Rob Pelinka could not immediately be reached for comment.

Terms of the deal were not available and a Nike official said that company executives do not comment on rumor and speculation.

Sources told ESPN.com that Bryant will wear the Nike, not Jordan, brand and he is expected to receive a percentage of royalties from products associated with him.

Bryant's signing with Nike became a formality after he severed ties with adidas in July 2002 after a six-year stint with the German company. Talks heated up at the All-Star Game in February with Reebok making a push for Bryant. But a week later, Reebok announced it had withdrawn from the Kobe shoe race citing the high price of entry. Bryant later disputed Reebok's claims, saying he weeded Reebok out.

Part of Bryant's buyout with adidas stipulated that he would agree not to sign with a competitor until after June 15 and he could not wear shoes of any competitor for more than three consecutive games.

Nike is expected to try to make its money back from the James' signing as quickly as it can. The much-anticipated first LeBron James signature shoe and apparel is expected to be released in time for the holidays in mid-December. However, a source says Nike will unveil a special, limited-edition shoe for the first regular season game that will be available in major markets. James is also expected to have his own logo on all his apparel.

Nike officials are also expected to go after Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, whose Nike deal expired at the end of the season.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett, who is also a shoe deal free agent after stints with Nike and AND 1, is expected to sign with adidas in the coming months

[CountryGurl]

By Jonathon Drew, The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 20) - When she found out her ex-husband met Osama bin Laden, admitted plots against trains and the Brooklyn Bridge and pleaded guilty to felony terrorism charges, Geneva Bowling said she felt ``physically ill.''

``It just doesn't seem like the person I knew,'' said Bowling, the former wife of Iyman Faris, a 34-year-old Ohio truck driver who has acknowledged that he met bin Laden at a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan and worked with other top al-Qaida officials, according to court documents.

``I don't feel well. ... I'm still in shock. I just need some time for it to sink in,'' Bowling said Thursday night by phone from her Columbus apartment.

Faris, of Columbus, is cooperating in the investigation of al-Qaida, federal authorities said Thursday.

``This case highlights the very real threats that still exist here at home in the United States of America in the war against terrorism,'' Attorney General John Ashcroft said at a Justice Department news conference in Washington. ``While we are disabling al-Qaida, we don't believe it is disabled.''

Faris has acknowledged that he met bin Laden in 2000 at an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan and provided operatives there with sleeping bags, cell phones and other assistance, court documents show.

Faris pleaded guilty May 1 to providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to provide support, according to documents unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Va.

Authorities said Faris received attack instructions from top terror leader Khalid Shaikh Mohammed for what they suggested might have been a second wave planned for New York and Washington to follow the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Faris, who is represented by a lawyer and said in the documents he was not coerced to plead, could face 20 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines. Sentencing was set for Aug. 1.

The Kashmir native arrived in the United States in May 1994 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in December 1999.

In Columbus, former neighbors said Faris blared music when working on cars or warming up his commercial rig in his driveway. Some complained about the noise, but described the independent truck driver, who was often on the road, as unapproachable and aloof.

``That someone even associated with this craziness is right here in Columbus, it's sad,'' said 26-year-old Negla Ross, his former next-door neighbor.

Those who interacted with Faris, also known as Mohammed Rauf, recalled a man who sometimes lost his temper but also liked to laugh. He had been working in Columbus for several years.

Records show that under his alias, he was married to Bowling from 1995 to 2000 and lived with her in a small home in Columbus.

``I have felt physically ill since all this happened; I still do,'' said Bowling, 46.

Mike Bowling, 18, said he hadn't spoken to his former stepfather in two months.

``I remember the man had a very good sense of humor,'' he said.

This spring, Faris stayed a couple of weeks with a friend at a Columbus apartment complex. The rental office turned down his application to be put on the lease for the two-bedroom unit because of bad credit, resident manager Craig Cook said.

``He was very upset - but some people really are when you have to turn them down,'' Cook said. No one answered at the apartment Thursday.

Although the senior operative is referred to only as ``C-2'' in the documents, a U.S. law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity identified him as Mohammed. He was captured in Pakistan on March 1 and is said to be providing interrogators with a wealth of information about al-Qaida's global reach.

According to a government statement that Faris signed, an al-Qaida leader instructed Faris to obtain ``gas cutters,'' probably acetylene torches, that would enable him to sever the cables on ``a bridge in New York City'' that officials said was the Brooklyn Bridge.

To avoid government detection, Faris was told to refer to the cutters as ``gas stations.''

Mohammed also told Faris that he should obtain heavy torque tools - code-named ``mechanics shops'' - that could be used to derail trains in the United States, the affidavit says. The court papers refer to New York and Washington but provide no further detail about time or location of an attack.

The statement says that Faris researched the Brooklyn Bridge on the Internet and traveled to New York in late 2002 to examine it, finally concluding that ``the plot to destroy the bridge by severing the cables was very unlikely to succeed.''

None of the allegedly planned attacks was carried out.

Faris' meetings with al-Qaida took place in 2000, 2001 and early 2002 in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the government statement says. Faris' original contact with al-Qaida came through a second senior operative, named only as ``C-1'' or ``bin Laden's right foot,'' whom the government says Faris had known since the Soviet-Afghanistan war in the 1980s.

Prosecutors also say Faris was asked by bin Laden associates in late 2000 to research ultralight aircraft that could be used as escape planes by al-Qaida operatives.

Ashcroft and senior FBI officials wouldn't disclose details of Faris' arrest. They also would not say whether Faris was part of an active al-Qaida cell in the United States, or whether any of his activities had previously been monitored.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the Justice Department has obtained a number of guilty pleas from or won court convictions of members of alleged al-Qaida cells, including six of seven members of an alleged cell in Lackawanna, N.Y. The Faris plea, however, is unusual in that it involves direct connections to al-Qaida plots.

Two alleged members of a radical Islamic movement allied with al-Qaida were convicted earlier this month in Detroit of providing material support and resources to the terrorist group by running an illegal document ring. One other man was acquitted in that case.

I don't know if this man is considered a celebrity...

[Gina1201]

Like he says in "Excuse Me Miss," Jay-Z's club opening on Wednesday was only for the "grown and sexy" as ballas from Hollywood, the music industry and professional sports came out to support Jigga in his latest endeavor.

Jay officially opened his sports bar, dubbed the 40/40 Club, in New York and made it a prerequisite that all those who attended — Beyoncé, Magic Johnson, Michael Rapaport, the Dallas Mavericks' Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley, New Jersey Nets' all-star point guard Jason Kidd, Lil' Kim and members of Roc-A-Fella Records, among them — come wearing their finest.
"I'm real excited and I'm just here to show support for my man Jay-Z," said this year's probable NBA first draft pick, LeBron James, on the red carpet.

"It's incredible, I'm happy to be here, happy to enjoy this with Jay," Los Angeles Clippers' Lamar Odom said minutes later.

"I've partied with Jay, I've thrown some parties with him, I know it's going to be hot," Magic said before he walked in. "He knows how to do it, he knows how to please the people, he knows what to have inside, it [will be] classy. [I'm expecting] the ultimate party. Beautiful women, good men, all coming together and having good clean fun."

Magic is one of the elite players like Steve Young, Gary Payton, Lawrence Taylor, Mark Messier, Sammy Sosa and Tracy McGrady who have their jerseys hanging on the walls of the club. "Jay is my man and when he asked me, it was an honor for me to have my jersey in his club," McGrady explained.

"[The 40/40 Club] is the most exclusive club in sports," Jay said of the group of baseball players who have hit 40 home runs and stolen 40 bases in a single season. "With other records [in sports] people break them every other year, but this is one where there's only three people that's in this club in the history of baseball: Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco and Alex Rodriguez.

"I just wanted [the club] to be comfortable," he continued. "I wanted it to look like no other sports bar ever. With [other] clubs, people just put them together like they know it's going to get dirty. I wanted to put [the 40/40 Club] together as if it was a living room. If you're just cool and relaxed and you got your grown man or grown woman on, the 40/40 Club
is the place for you."

At the 40/40 Club, grown men and women share the same facilities in the unisex bathroom. Some of the other unique features of Hov's haven include a cigar room, a staircase with couches on the steps, hanging chairs and televisions and lounges with pool tables.

So after conquering music and fashion, firmly planting his flag in the alcohol market and now opening a club, what new territory can Jay cover?

"I guess Hollywood, that's my next move," he said. "We'll do a little acting right now. I'm reading a couple things. We'll see how it turns out."

—Shaheem Reid, with reporting by Minya Oh

[BLUTANG]

Originally posted by Gina1201
At the 40/40 Club, grown men and women share the same facilities in the unisex bathroom.

Is this how grown people do it? Cause i don't think i've shared a unisex bathroom in a public space beyond elementary school. BUT... maybe I'll make my way to 40/40, to see what's up.

[kiml122]

Originally posted by BLUTANG
Is this how grown people do it? Cause i don't think i've shared a unisex bathroom in a public space beyond elementary school. BUT... maybe I'll make my way to 40/40, to see what's up.

Actually believe it or not, there is a club here that has unisex bathrooms.

[Steeltrap]

Boxer Mike Tyson Arrested in N.Y. Brawl
33 minutes ago


NEW YORK - Mike Tyson was arrested early Saturday after a brawl with two men outside a Brooklyn hotel and was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, police said.



The former heavyweight champion was treated for minor cuts after the other men apparently swung at him with an object taken from the hotel lobby, police said. Police said they had no further information.


The two men also were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after the 5:30 a.m. fight. Their names were not immediately released.


A call to Shelly Finkel, adviser to the 36-year-old Brooklyn-born boxer, was not immediately returned.


Tyson, with a long history of legal trouble, was convicted of rape in 1992 and was sentenced to six years in prison. He served three years before being released on parole.


In a Fox television interview last month, Tyson said he was so angry about the conviction he wanted to rape his accuser, former beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington, and her mother.


In 1997, he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear during a bout. Tyson's Nevada boxing license was suspended for a year, and he was fined $3 million. In 1999, he was released from a Maryland jail after serving 3 1/2 months for assaulting the two motorists.


Last year, he threw a punch at Lennox Lewis' bodyguard at a news conference announcing a fight between the two, setting off a brawl between Tyson and Lewis.

[CrimsonTide4]

allegedly, CED's show has been cancelled. Let the folks all cheer.

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
allegedly, CED's show has been cancelled. Let the folks all cheer.

Hip Hip HOORAY!

How does everyone think that Steve Harvey's new show will do?

[FeeFee]

Kim is Lil' upset

250G bling-bling swiped from her bag at JFK, rapper says





By ALICE McQUILLAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER


Rapper Lil' Kim, shown performing at Giants Stadium on June 3, lost $250,000 in jewelry from baggage she checked at JFK Airport.

Her bling-bling is missing.
Rapper Lil' Kim, who thinks big when it comes to jewelry, said someone swiped $250,000 worth of her baubles at Kennedy Airport this weekend.

Two of her signature pieces - a white-and-yellow diamond-encrusted gold necklace with a crowned "B" and platinum dog tags filled with yellow diamonds - were snatched from her luggage Friday, the Daily News has learned.

"She was extremely upset, but she should be commended for acting responsibly and being patient," said her high-powered lawyer Mel Sachs.

The 4-foot-11 rapper, famous for her skimpy, eye-popping outfits, was headed to Los Angeles for tomorrow's Black Entertainment Television awards.

Nominated as best female hip hop artist, she was set to perform - and wear the jewelry. Lil' Kim, 27, is rarely seen without her "B" necklace - a symbol of her Queen Bee Records label.

Catching an 8:45 a.m. United flight to L.A., the Brooklyn-born rapper planned to carry on a Louis Vuitton bag filled with an estimated $500,000 worth of jewelry, including the two custom-made necklaces.

However, there was a mixup at the check-in counter and the carry-on bag was checked in with eight other pieces of luggage belonging to the rapper and her entourage, Sachs said.

While in her first-class seat waiting to take off, Lil' Kim realized the error. The flight was delayed while the Vuitton bag with the jewelry was retrieved from the baggage hold.

Although it still contained her earrings, rings and other jewelry, the two oversize necklaces were missing, said Sachs. The bag looked "tampered with" - both an outside flap and a jewelry holder inside had been opened, he said.

United had advance notice that Lil' Kim was taking that flight, Sachs said, suggesting her fame and penchant for gems made her a target.

"Lil' Kim is known for her exceptional and distinctive custom-made jewelry and had two irreplaceable pieces of her collection stolen," he said. "Celebrities like Lil' Kim are vulnerable to being targeted and being victims of this kind of theft."

Her latest CD, "La Bella Mafia," reminds fans of her taste for bling-bling, the rap word for big jewelry that's soon to be in the Oxford English Dictionary.

"Don't be mad," she raps, "I can't put this money in a casket. ... I can't take these diamonds with me when I die."

Lil' Kim, whose given name is Kimberly Jones, didn't take the 8:45 a.m. flight, which was thoroughly searched when it landed in Los Angeles. Her Vuitton bag was tested for fingerprints, and baggage handlers and other airport employees were due to take polygraphs, Sachs said.

Alan Hicks, a spokesman for the Port Authority, said only, "Kimberly Jones filed a report for lost jewelry, and the incident is under investigation by the Port Authority police."

She said she was sure she packed the missing items but her Englewood, N.J., mansion was checked anyway, Sachs said.

This is not the first time a celebrity has reported losing pricey baubles at JFK.

A Kennedy baggage handler pleaded guilty to stealing Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson's $375,000 diamond necklace and bracelet in 1995.

He swiped the valuables while loading luggage aboard a British Airways jet two days after Fergie wore the gems to a White House reception.

[kiml122]

Originally posted by FeeFee
Rapper Lil' Kim, shown performing at Giants Stadium on June 3, lost $250,000 in jewelry from baggage she checked at JFK Airport.

What I want to know is....why in the hell would you check that jewelry in the first place.

[FeeFee]

Originally posted by kiml122
What I want to know is....why in the hell would you check that jewelry in the first place.

From what I gathered, the bag with the jewelry was checked by accident. She was supposed to have taken the bag with her on the plane as a carry-on. That accident, unfortunately cost her $250,000. I guess she didn't have any other way to transpor the jewels.