Patty Jackson Weekly 411 courtesy 2 Down Front Entertainment

Get ready for the Month Of Jennifer Hudson. The Oscar-winning actress and singer will be everywhere in February. Hudson’s return to public stage follows the October tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew. Hudson is performing at the Superbowl on the 1st in Tampa, Florida. She’s singing the national anthem. She’s also performing at the Grammys’s on the 8th. Hudson will be doing a duet with American Idol Winner Carrie Underwood. Hudson will also be on hand for pre-Grammy ceremonies and the NAACP Image Awards. In other J-Hud news, her ex brother-in-law, William Balfour, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of her family. Balfour was indicted on 3 counts of first degree murder. His next day in court is January 27th.

Another big return is Whitney Houston. Her new album is scheduled to be released in March. Houston will also be performing at pre-Grammy parties and at the BET Honors Awards next month. Speaking of the The BET Honors 2009 is set for February 9th. This year’s honorees include Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige, Magic Johnson, Homestyle Maven B. Smith and Dancer/Choreographer Judith Jameson. Scheduled performers include Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Ne-Yo, Anthony Hamilton, Queen Latifah and The Alvin Ailey Dance theatre. Actress Gabrielle Union is hosting.

Basketball Star Dwayne Wade is being sued by his wife Siohvaughn. Despite marriage and family counseling, the six-year marriage between the Wades is over. Siohvaughn has filed court papers stating that wade abandoned his kids, committed adultery and gave her a nasty S.T.D. Wade plays for the Miami Heat and is often seen in the company of Actress Gabrielle Union. Siohvaughn claims she suffered physical, emotional and mental injuries during the marriage.

Congrats to Kimora Lee Simmons! She and actor Dijmon Hounsou are expecting their first child. Kimora is the ex-wife of business Mogul and Hip Hop Pioneer Russell Simmons. She has two children by Simmons. Kimora is four months pregnant.

Back in the 80’s he was one of the biggest Pop stars in the world. Now he’s in jail. Boy George was convicted of falsely imprisoning a male escort. George was sentenced to 15 months in jail. He was best known for his makeup, stage outfits, and his hits with Culture Club (Karma Chameleon, Time and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me).

Spokespeople for Mary J. Blige are shooting down reports that Mary is having issues with other female singers. Sources say that during the inaugural festivities and galas, Mary felt somekind of way about Beyonce stealing the spotlight with her big finale performance at the Lincoln Memorial concert where she sang for the first dance between President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Mary felt her performances and contributions would be over looked. Then there was the incident at the BET Honors where singer Keyshia Cole was told she couldn’t participate in the tribute to Mary. Under orders from Mary’s husband, Kendu Isaacs, Cole’s performance was nixed from the segment. Isaacs felt the two singers share too many similarities, and he wants his wife to shine on her own.

What’s up with Janet Jackson’s new look. Recent photos show Jackson on a recent trip to Europe. She looked tired and she has gained weight. Is she pregnant? No. Janet is not happy with the way she looks. That’s why she left the country during all the inaugural festivities. She was not invited to perform, and she didn’t feel like appearing at parties. Her weight continues to go up and down and friends are worried about her health as she gains weight again.

One person who did have fun at all the inaugural festivities was Star Jones. Jones showed up at the parties with her new man, Chef Herb Wilson. Star is in love and it shows. She has never been happier. When recently asked about ex hubby, Al Reynolds, she responded, Al Who?

Actor Idris Elba is coming to the NBC comedy show The Office. Elba is best known for his role as the handsome “Stringer Bell” on the HBO series The Wire. In The Office, Elba will play a rival to the Steve Carell character “Michael Scott,” and this six episode storyline begins this spring. Elba will also be starring in the thriller Obsessed. The movie also stars Beyonce and Ali Larter, and opens in theatres next month.

Actor Don Cheadle has just signed a new two-year TV deal. He will be developing projects for Universal Media Studios. Cheadle is currently starring in the movie Hotel For Dogs. He is also developing a biography on the late Jazz Great Miles Davis. Don is also gearing up for his starring role in the new Iron Man II movie.

After her successful work on the movie about her late husband, The Notorious B.I.G, Singer Faith Evans wants to try her hand at acting. In the past, she has appeared on various sitcoms. Evans is currently in talks to develop a sitcom loosely based on her life.

T-Mobile is cutting former Basketball Star Charles Barkley from their advertising campaign. Since his second D.U.I. arrests on New Year’s Eve, Sir Charles has been forced to reexamine his life. He is currently taking a voluntary leave from his duties with the TNT Network as a basketball commentator. Barkley commercials for T-Mobile were very popular, but in light of his recent problems the sponsors feel it’s best not to use him in their campaigns.

Tyler Perry’s new movie Madea Goes To Jail arrives in theatres on February 20th. If you love “Madea,” go see the movie because Perry is ready to hang up the dress and makeup. He loves “Madea,” but he is ready to move on and show the world he is much more than the ever popular Madea.

Speaking of Tyler, he and Halle Berry will be the hosting the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards, which will air February 12th on FOX. Russell Simmons is getting the night’s big honor, and Jennifer Hudson is leading the pack with seven nominations.

Action Star Jackie Chan is in talks to join the cast of the new Karate Kid movie. Chan would play the role, made famous by the late Pat Morita, of “Mr. Miyagi.” Will Smith’s son Jaden will play the new Karate Kid. Filming is set to start this summer in Beijing.

Actor Ricardo Montalban passed away last week. The 88-year old Mexican-born actor was best known for his work on the TV show Fantasy Island. Montalban was the host, “Mr. Roarke” on the popular show that always featured him in his elegant white suits.

Singer D’Angelo is gearing up for his return. The last album he put out was in 2000 with Voodoo. Now almost ten years later, he’s back with James River. The album features collaborations with Raphael Saadiq and Prince. The album is due out this summer, and he is planning a tour of the U.S. in the fall. The past few years have been difficult for the singer he almost died in a serious car crash and he had numerous drug arrests.

Donald Trump’s celebrity apprentice returns on March 1st. This year’s participants include Singer Brian McKnight, T-Boz from TLC, Model/Actress Claudia Jordan and Former Football Great Herschel Walker.

The TNT network has given the green light to the new Jada Pinkett Smith drama Time Heals. Smith not only stars, but she is also the show’s executive producer. Smith plays a nurse in the new show, which debuts this fall.

The Wendy Williams talk show is set to debut this July. The show is going nationwide.

Patti LaBelle is the big honoree as the UNCF celebrates its 30th anniversary of An Evening Of Stars. The show will air locally this Sunday, January 25th at 3pm on FOX 29. Some of the performers include Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson. Patti will also be joined by her LABELLE family, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash, who will perform along with her. A special tribute is also being planned for the late Ray Charles. Charles is receiving the Founders’ Award.

Steve Harvey is coming to town. Steve’s got a new book chock full of advice for the ladies titled Act Like A Lady-Think Like A Man. Steve is doing a book signing Thursday, January 29th, 7:00pm at the Barnes And Noble Bookstore on Easton Road in Willow Grove. Speaking of Steve, he will be back hosting BET’s Celebration Of Gospel. The show will air on BET January 25th.

The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New Orleans. Beyonce is the first musical guest announced. There will also be seminars featuring Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Roland Martin. Plus, there’ll be an all star tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.