:: Patty Jackson's 411 for the week of April 11th, 2005:
Never make your close friends into enemies. This is the hard lesson that Michael Jackson is learning. A new book is coming out about the King of Pop, and it's coming from a former close friend and business associate. Bob Jones worked with Michael for 30 years as his publicist and advisor. Jones was fired without warning last June by Michael's younger brother Randy. Jones couldn't believe it. How could Michael do this to him? Why would he turn against him? Jones says he was loyal, and he kept Michael's secrets. The sudden dismissal left him broke, and now, he says he is ready to tell all to get his money. The book, "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask" will detail Michael's relationships with young boys. Jones says he found it odd, and when he asked Michael about it he was told to mind his own business! Jones says there were a lot of parties. He says Actor Emmanuel Lewis, from the TV show, Webster, was a frequent guest. He says Michael and Emmanuel would suck on baby bottles together! Jones will also reveal how Michael likes to play sick when he doesn't want to do something. This book could prove to be devastating for Michael. Why would he let Randy fire him? Michael put Randy in charge of his business and finances, and it turned out to be a big mistake. In addition to unnecessary firings, he found out that Randy was stealing his money and not paying any bills. Randy recently purchased a condo in Miami, and he took one of Michael's Bentleys. Michael is no longer speaking to Randy, and he has removed him as his manager. This was not a good week for the King of Pop. The jurors in his child molestation trial heard testimony about past discretions with young boys. A former maid's son took the stand and described incidents that happened with him when he was a child. Some members of Michael's family are so embarrassed by the testimony in this trial, they are refusing to show up to support him. No shows at the trial include Marlon, Rebbie, Janet, and Latoya. Tito just started showing up, but the testimony proved to be so unsettling, that he and his mom Katherine had to leave the courtroom. Katherine says when she left to go to the bathroom, court officers wouldn't let her back in.
Now speaking of Katherine, how much more can she take? One day, she fell asleep during testimony. This trial is taking its toll on her. She has been crying everyday, and last week proved to be too much with the stories of the alleged sex acts between Michael and various young boys. The trial is killing her. If Michael goes to jail, he wants her to have custody of his three kids along with his dad. Michael has made arrangements for his children to be raised in Encino, California, where he grew up. His parents would have custody of his kids, and their caretaker would be their Governess Grace Rwaramba. Michael's ex-wife Debbie Rowe is currently fighting with Michael for custody of their two children. In 2001, she signed away her rights to her children. But now, with the child molestation trial, she has had a change of heart. When she signed away her rights, she stated she didn't want to be a mother. She also said, under oath, that Michael was a wonderful man and a brilliant father. Will Debbie ever win back custody of her children Prince and Paris? The children are being shielded from the controversy and the trial. Sources say the children are home schooled, polite and well behaved.
The new issue of Jet Magazine is dedicated to the late, famed Attorney Johnnie Cochran. The issue traces his life and famous trials. Also, on page 46, check out Eddie Levert and his youngest daughter Ryan, whose three years old.
The VH-1 Save The Music Concert airs Sunday, April 17th at 9pm. Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Joss Stone, John Legend, Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, Rob Thomas and Josh Groban will be performing. Proceeds benefit The Save the Music Foundation.
Did you miss Alicia Keys and John Legend at the Liacouris Center? Well, they are both coming back, separately. Alicia Keys will spend Mother's Day Weekend at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. John Legend is coming back this summer, July 22nd, at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City and July 23rd at the Electric Factory Concert Hall.
According to published reports, the last days of Barry White were filled with controversy. The singer died during the summer of 2003 of kidney failure, and the battle was on for his money. Barry was involved with a young woman who claimed she was carrying his love child. Well, the DNA tests have come back, and the child is not Barry White's. Katherine Denton is the mother of Barriana Icy White, and she has had no comment on the test results. Barry's second wife Glodean is also in court trying to find out what happened to millions of dollars in Barry's estate. Glodean says Barry's signature was forged on documents by his former Manager Abby Schroeder, and now she is suing him.
Usher's Dad is in jail! Usher Sr. was never there for his son. He walked out on Usher's mom when he was born. Usher Sr. is a crack addict who is in jail for shoplifting and fighting the police in Tennessee. Friends of Usher Sr. say he was a good guy who got in with the wrong crowd. But why wasn't he there for his son? Usher's mom did an amazing job raising him, but there is nothing like a father's love. Reps for Usher have had no comment on his dad's arrest.
What's up with American Idol Judge Paula Abdul and her strange behavior? The meltdowns, the car accidents, the fighting with staffers. Paula does not look good, and her weird behavior is the talk of the town. Is she taking too much pain medicine for her bad back? In other Idol news, former Idol Contestant Corey Clark, from the 2002 hopefuls, is writing a book about American Idol. Clark was kicked off the show when it was discovered he had a police record for battery and assault. Clark allegedly beat up his little sister. He says it was all a big misunderstanding. In his book, he describes Host Ryan Seacrest as a cornball. He says Idol Winner Ruben Studdard was a stud, and that Runner-up Clay Aiken went from being a geek to a monster. He also talked about Justin Guarini, describing him as fake and corny, and that Idol Judge Simon Cowell didn't care about anyone. He says he will reveal all the Idol secrets, including the infighting, the lying, the drinking and the sex.
Actress and Beauty Shop Co-star Alfre Woodard is joining the cast of Desperate Housewives. The Emmy-winner will make her debut this season.
Talk show Host Montel Williams wants his ex-wife to shut up! Montel has gone to a judge to slap an order on his ex-wife Grace to stop her from bad-mouthing him. Montel says she is making untruthful statements about him. She has labeled him as an adulterer, bad father and bad provider. They have two children and they were married for 8 years until she caught him cheating on her.
Does Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick have herpes?! He is currently being sued by an ex-girlfriend who claims he has it, and he gave it to her. Sonya Elliott says she dated him for two years. She claims they didn't have sex the first year, but it progressed to a sexual relationship during year number two. She says they always used condoms, but one time they didn't. Spokespeople for Vick say the quarterback is planning to fight this lawsuit.
Is Jennifer Lopez ready to hang up her music career? Her latest CD, Rebirth, is not doing well on the charts, and promotion for the album has stopped. Jennifer's dancers have not gotten paid for their work, and several members have quit. Jennifer is now turning her attention to her movie career. Later this spring, she stars in the movie, Monster in Law with Jane Fonda. She is currently gracing the cover of Cosmo magazine.
The Broadway musical Dreamgirls is being made into a movie. Beyonce is already in talks with producers about starring. Other possible stars include Alicia Keys, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx. The search is still on for the actress who will play the role of "Effie." "Effie" was played on Broadway by Jennifer Holiday, who performed the showstopper, And I'm Telling You. How about Singer Kelly Price? What do you think? Let me know! Send me an email at
Pattyj1053@aol.com
We all know Actress Kimberly Elise from the movies, Diary of A Mad Black Woman, Woman Thou Art Loosed, Beloved and Set It Off. Now, she's ready to do TV. Kimberly will be co-starring in the CBS show, American Crime. The show debuts this fall.
Former Heavyweight Champ Mike Tyson is returning to the ring. On June
11th, he is scheduled to fight Journeyman McBride. This will be his first fight in a year. Tyson is now 38, and he has lost two of his last three fights.
Oprah Winfrey the author? Yes! Oprah's new book is a greatest hits collection of her monthly column, What I Know For Sure. The book, "Of Wit and Wisdom," will be featured on the May anniversary edition of O Magazine.
Tyler Perry is also writing a book. He's conquered the stage, the big screen and now, he's ready to be an author. Next spring, get ready for his book, 'Don't Make A Black Woman Take Her Earrings Off.' It's Tyler alter ego Madea's uninhibited commentaries on love and life. Tyler is currently touring the country in his latest stage production, Madea Goes To Jail. I hear it's coming to Philly in September.
Motown Superstar Martha Reeves is ready for politics. The popular lead vocalist of Martha and The Vandellas is lobbying to get on the ballot for Detroit City Council. During their heyday, Martha and The Vandellas topped the charts with, Dancing in The Streets, Come And Get These Memories and Heatwave.
Toni Braxton has a new recording home. Toni is now on Motown Records, and her new album is due out this fall.
Brandy wants to take it slow. She's engaged to be married to Quentin Richardson of the Phoenix Suns, but, she says she is no rush to get married. She says she and Quentin are going to take their time and get to know one another. Brandy says she wants this relationship to last. Brandy is learning from past mistakes including her fake marriage to her baby's daddy. Brandy is also working on her new Fox-TV show, which will debut this fall.
Jamie Foxx is working on his new album. In addition to his hot acting career, the Oscar-winner will be releasing a new album called, Southern Gentlemen.
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz will air on ABC May 20th. The movie stars Ashanti, Queen Latifah and The Muppets.
American Idol Winner Fantasia is planning to write her autobiography. The book, 'Life Is Not A Fairytale' will talk about her life growing up singing in the church, becoming a teen mom and her road to stardom with American Idol.
Rapper/Actress Eve will be starring in the Showtime original movie, Unstuck. Eve will play the lesbian Producer Conscious. Conscious has had an incredible life, and she wrote about it in a bestselling book. Conscious described her life from homelessness and drugs to abuse and HIV. Conscious went on to become the producer of Queen Latifah's talk show.
Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are teaming up again. Spike will be directing Denzel in the movie, Inside Man. Denzel will play a cop who is trying to catch a clever bank robber. Clive Owen will play the bank robber. This will be the fourth movie that Denzel has made with Spike. Their previous movies include, Malcolm X, He Got Game and Mo Better Blues. Filming start this summer after Denzel finishes his work on Broadway in Julius Caesar.
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