Quanah said...: December 2006

EVERYBODY HATES DIVORCE! Comedian Chris Rock has had a change of heart, and now the Rocks are gonna work it out. A few weeks ago, Chris announced he was divorcing his wife of 10 years Malaak Compton. They have two young daughters, ages 2 and 4. When the news came out, it shocked many of his fans and a lot of people thought he was losing it. Chris’s private life has always been under the radar. But, when the news came out about trouble in his marriage, the stories of him and other women started surfacing. Did you know he used to date Madonna before he got married or his affair with Video Vixen Karrine Steffans? She’s also known as Superhead, and reports have it she’s expecting a baby with Bobby Brown. She is writing a new book about her exploits, and Rock is featured prominently. Years ago, a Hungarian model tried to blame Rock for fathering her child, but the DNA tests cleared him. Who knew Rock was a player. Apparently, someone advised him it was not in his best interest to make an enemy out of his wife. After 10 years of marriage and two kids, he would have to pay through the nose to get out of the marriage. In the words of the late Singer Johnnie Taylor: It’s Cheaper to Keep Her.

Eddie Murphy speaks! Murphy is doing promotional interviews for the movie Dreamgirls. He plays the role of R&B Singer “James ‘Thunder’ Early.” I saw the movie at the preview screening last week. Eddie Murphy is the truth in this movie. He does his own singing, and for the first time, we see him display his dramatic acting skills. On a recent episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Murphy revealed that he was able to get into his troubled character because at the time of filming he was going through a very painful and public divorce with his wife Nicole. Eddie is very tight lipped about his life, and he rarely gives interviews, but on December 18th, he will be appearing on the Bravo Network on the popular show Inside The Actor’s Studio. The one on one interview show with James Lipton gives viewers an up close and personal look at their favorite actors. Despite an amazing career (Coming to America, Nutty Professor, and voice over work for Shrek), Murphy is sometimes more known for known for scandal, for example the transsexual pick up scandal of the late 90’s and his divorce from his wife of 12 years. He is also the father of six children. Murphy is amazing in Dreamgirls, and he could get an Oscar nomination for his role. As for his love life, he was dating former Spice Girl Mel B, a.k.a. Melanie Brown, but she blew it big time. Murphy’s mom Lillian often arrives in town to help her son with his kids, and Mel B started complaining. Lesson number one, if you want to become the wife, you can’t diss your man’s mother. In an act of desperation, Mel then proclaimed she was pregnant hoping he wouldn’t dump her. When Murphy realized she was lying and nothing more than a manipulative drama queen, he dropped her like a hot potato. He is currently dating the ex-wife of Babyface, Producer Tracey Edmonds.

The BET Network has put together a TV special celebrating the life of Gerald Levert. On Sunday at 12 noon, they will air their half hour special, and it features Gerald’s daughter and his many friends and former singing partners. Levert passed away last week at the age of 40. When the BET Network would air their specials, you could always count on Gerald to bring the house pain. Remember his tribute to Patti LaBelle when he got down and rolled in the floor to pay homage to her? Mark your calendars and set your recording devices. This special is a keepsake. At the time of his death Gerald, was working on two projects. A new album that is coming out next year and a book with his father Eddie Levert called I Got Your Back, about father and son relationships.

Janet Jackson is shooting down reports that she is pregnant and canceling her world tour. She says the tour will go on next year despite low record sales. Friends of Janet are concerned about her and the state of her relationship with Jermaine Dupri. They blame him for the album’s failure. She continues to talk about her sex life with Dupri. A lot of people feel she is talking way too much about her private life, and it is hurting her popularity.

Toni Braxton’s Las Vegas revue has been extended through August 2007.

When the movie musical Dreamgirls is released, you are going to witness the amazing singing talents of Jennifer Hudson. Hudson plays the role of “Effie White” made famous by Jennifer Holliday. She nails the Holliday classic And I Am Telling You. Hudson first found fame on American Idol, but she lost out to Fantasia. Simon Cowell had the nerve to tell her she didn’t have what it takes. Wait until you see Dreamgirls. Hudson is a star, and she just signed a deal with Whitney Houston’s Mentor Clive Davis. A new album is expected next year.

Grammy Award Winning Artist Kanye West continues to suffer from Foot in The Mouth disease. In an upcoming interview with Essence magazine, West states if it wasn’t for race mixing and biracial women, there would be no video girls. He then goes on to refer to biracial women as Mutts, proclaiming that he and his friends like Mutts.

There is life after The View for Star Jones, and she has found it on the TV One Network. Jones will be hosting and producing a show that will deal with issues in the African American Community. The first special is set to air in December. After striking out on deals with the major networks, Jones is turning to Cable TV to start a new career path.

Playwright/Producer David E. Talbert has tapped Actor Morris Chestnut to produce and star in his latest production Love In The Nick of Tyme. The play features the music of Singer Vivian Green, and it is coming to Philly next year.

Is Actor Darius McCrary, who is best known for his role as “Eddie Winslow” on the TV show Family Matters, infected with HIV? Spokespeople for the actor have not responded to published reports about the his condition. Fans of McCrary want him to make some sort of announcement. If he is infected, is he getting the help he needs?

In a day and age where most couples are breaking up, it’s good to know there is a couple that is still going strong. Actors Courtney Vance and Angela Bassett are the proud parents of twins (via a surrogate), and they are going to tell all about their amazing love story. The couple has a new book coming out in January called Friends: A Love Story.

Is Former Basketball Player Rick Fox dating Actress Sharon Stone. Fox, the ex-husband of Vanessa Williams, says he and Sharon share a best friend and the same agent. He states he enjoys her company, but he is still looking for someone to settle down with and have a relationship.

As Whitney Houston continues her recovery and getting her life in order, she is also clearing out old debt. In 1993, she purchased a $6 million estate in Morrison, New Jersey. She hasn’t lived in this home for years, and she currently owes $1 million in overdue mortgage payments. She will either have to pay off the mortgage, or sell the house to avoid foreclosure.

Mike Tyson, a male prostitute? The ex-boxing champ is considering taking a job as a male escort for women to make money. Tyson has fallen on hard times, and he is looking to make money any way he can. He is also trying to strike a deal for his own reality show.

How hot is Dancing with the Stars Champ Emmitt Smith? TV Execs were so impressed with his charisma and personality, they are trying to convince him to do a talk show. I love Smith’s wife Patricia. She used to be married to Martin Lawrence. She is a former beauty queen who was on hand every week to cheer on and support her husband.

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige team up for the song Never Gonna Break My Faith. The song, written by Rocker Bryan Adams, is featured on the soundtrack to the movie Bobby. The movie, directed by Emilio Estevez, is about the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. The movie features Demi Moore, Laurence Fishburne, Nick Cannon and Joy Bryant.

Singer Ruth Brown is being remembered for her famous singing style. The 78-year old Grammy and Tony winner died from complications of a heart attack and stroke late last week. She is best known for the hits Teardrops In My Eyes and Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean. She was a major influence for Aretha Franklin and Etta James. Brown not only paved the way for them, but it was her efforts that started the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. The foundation provides medical and financial assistance to aging R&B stars. Brown first found success in the 50’s. Then, after fading record sales, she took time to raise a family and work as a maid, schoolteacher and bus driver. In the 70’s, she enjoyed a career resurgence, and went on to win a Tony Award for the musical Black and Blue.

Eva The Diva is making a change. Eva Pigford, the former winner of America’s Next Top Model, is dropping Tyra Banks as her manager. She is also getting rid of her last name. Eva will now be known as Eva Marcille. Marcille is her middle name. Eva says with the changes, she is looking for a new start.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUNDBUZZ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This female Singer is talented and pretty. She has a new project out, but she barely registers on the radar screen. She has a horrible attitude, and she prefers to act like a thug. She would be a much bigger star if she dropped the hood act. But, she won’t listen to anybody, and her new album is just collecting dust with low record sales.