Patty Jackson Weekly 411 courtesy 2 Down Front Entertainment

What is going with Chris Brown, and can his career survive this scandal? Brown is in a lot of trouble. With his recent arrest regarding the assault on girlfriend Rihanna, where does he go from here? Once you get the reputation for hitting women, it never goes away. Brown and Rihanna have been an item for over a year. I personally thought it was a publicity stunt. Rihanna had been rumored to have been secretly seeing Jay-Z, and Brown was rumored to be secretly dating his much older, female manager. To get the heat off what was really going on, publicists came up with plans to throw people off. The two singers were brought together and presented as a couple, but a strange thing happened along the way: someone caught feelings. Published reports say Rihanna was punched, choked and threatened by Brown after she found other girls’ numbers in his cell. She threw his phone and car keys out the window of his rented Lamborghini, and that’s what set off the altercation. Brown has been dropped by numerous advertising companies, but he remains free on $50,000 bail. Rihanna is back in Barbados with her family, and she has canceled numerous appearances, including her 21st birthday party. Sources say she may possibly need plastic surgery to cover her bruising.

What happened in Brazil, and will Usher’s wife survive? Usher’s wife, Tameka, flew to Brazil to undergo plastic surgery. She was getting lipo and a tummy tuck, but something went wrong. She suffered a heart attack and had to be put into a medically induced coma. At press time, Tameka is in stable condition. Usher had to leave the country immediately to be by his wife’s side. Tameka just gave birth in December to their second son. Friends say she wanted to get her body back because she is older (early 40’s) than Usher and feels the pressure to compete with younger women. There was also the issue of her being forced to stay in the background so that her husband’s career would flourish again. The Grammy festivities were supposed to have been a big comeback for Usher. He now has to worry about the condition of his wife and the mother of his sons. Usher’s mom, Jonetta Patton, has never gotten along with Tameka. Patton recently returned to her position as Usher’s manager. Needless to say Patton isn’t happy as she wonders what kind of woman would leave the country for risky plastic surgery less than two months after giving birth. Usher’s career will now have to wait as he must now tend to his wife.

Jennifer Hudson is coming to Philly! On Thursday, April 2nd, Hudson will kick off her five-week mini tour in Philadelphia at the Tower Theatre. Hudson will be in concert with Singer Robin Thicke.

Changes are coming to Grey’s Anatomy. Actors and best buds Katherine Heigl (“Izzy”) and T.R. Knight (“George”) are leaving after this season. Both have expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent storylines for their characters. Heigl has a prospering movie career she wants to pursue, and Knight still has bruised feelings over Actor Isaiah Washington’s use of gay slurs on the set. Washington was let go from the show and the controversy forced Knight to come out of the closet.

Mr. Carey Goes To Hollywood…and gets a job! Mariah’s hubby, Nick Cannon, has just signed a multi-project deal with the NBC network, which includes becoming the new host of America’s Got Talent. Cannon will take over for Jerry Springer when the new season begins this summer on NBC. Incidentally, you can call Nick Mr. Carey. He doesn’t care. Cannon is a happy man being married to Mariah. He has her name tattooed on his back. Plus, he’s been directing her videos, acting as her bodyguard and he has an unlimited bank account. Yes indeed, he doesn’t mind you calling him Mr. Carey at all.

Lil’ Kim is coming to Dancing With The Stars. The new season kicks off March 9th. David Allen Grier from In Living Color fame and Football Great Lawrence Taylor are also part of the cast.

Basketball Star Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat has settled things with his ex-wife Siovaughn. A few weeks ago, Siovaughn made some shocking claims against Wade, accusing him of giving her a sexually transmitted disease. These charges have been dropped, and Siovaughn just got a nice payday for her and her kids.

Speaking of getting paid, Spice Girl Mel B is getting a nice payment from her baby daddy, Eddie Murphy. In addition to paying out $52,000 a month until the kid turns 18, Murphy will also get visitation rights for his daughter. Murphy’s daughter with Mel B, Angel Iris, was born on his birthday two years ago. The scandal and Murphy’s denial he was the father was not good for his career. Now that he is doing the right thing, hopefully his public perception will turn around.

Spike Lee is continuing to prepare for Wesley Snipes’ post-tax troubles comeback. Lee wants Snipes to play The Godfather Of Soul James Brown, but will use Brown’s real voice for all the singing.

Janet must have heard me! She is returning to her Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for a new album that could hit stores this spring. It was her time with Jam and Lewis that gave her the Sound of Minneapolis classics like What Have You Done For Me Lately, Nasty, Control, Rhythm Nation and That’s The Way Love Goes. Miss Jackson is also close to signing a deal with Live Nation and resuming her tour.

Singer Anthony Hamilton wants to team up with the legendary Singer/Songwriter Bill Withers for a blues album. Hamilton also wants to put out a gospel CD. He’s on a roll because his latest album, The Point Of It All, is topping the charts and features the hit Cool.

The Bynum Brothers are back with a new venture. They own Warmdaddy’s on Columbus Boulevard and had the old Zanzibar Blue in Center City. Starting March 1st, their latest project called RELISH will open its doors at 7152 Ogontz Avenue. It replaces Sadiki’s. RELISH will feature live jazz music Thursday through Sunday.

First Lady Michelle Obama graces the new issue of Vogue with a respectful cover shot from sometimes controversial Photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Halle Berry graces the new issue of Essence magazine. Berry talks about family, life and finding love. Berry says she tried dating black men, she even married two, but she found love with a white man (Model Gabriel Aubry). She also talked about wanting more babies.

Terrence Howard is on the cover of Ebony magazine. Howard says he wants to get married again. He talks about why he won’t be in the Iron Man sequel and how misunderstood he is.

Tyler Perry wants to do a sequel to his 2007 hit Why Did I Get Married. Perry says he plans to reunite the entire cast, including Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Michael Jai White and Tasha Smith.

Is Actress Nia Long dating Singer Raphael Saadiq? The two were awfully close during the Grammy parties.

Congrats to Actress Tisha Campbell and her husband Duane Martin. They are expecting their second child. They couple have been married for twelve years and have an 8-year old son.

Singer Natalie Cole made an appearance at the Grammys and looked fabulous despite her battle with Hepatitis C. Her treatment left her in need of a kidney transplant. The 58 year-old Cole is currently on dialysis three times a week. Things are looking up as her 31 year-old son, Robert, has been listed as a candidate to give Cole one of his kidneys.

Bobby Brown is excited about the arrival of his fifth child. Brown and his girlfriend/manager, Alicia Etheridge, are expecting their bundle of joy this summer.

Vivica A. Fox may not want to talk about her involvement with the Psychic Friends Network, but she is talking up her new reality show. Fox will be hosting the TV Land reality show The Cougars. The show is about older women seeking love with younger men.

Etta James, the comedienne! I don’t think so! James lashed out at Beyonce during a recent concert. She didn’t appreciate Beyonce getting all the shine during the inauguration festivities, and she proclaimed she wanted to kick the younger diva’s behind. A couple of days later, James tried to laugh off her comments claiming she was only joking. She says she still sings better than Beyonce though. Spokespeople for Beyonce had no comment on the Etta James controversy, but sources say Beyonce was hurt by the legendary singer’s comments. When Beyonce did the remake of the song At Last and played Etta James for the film Cadillac Records, she considered it one of the highlights of her career. Now the whole experience has left a bad taste in her month. Cadillac Records comes out on DVD March 10th.

Fantasia wants her high school diploma. Fantasia says it’s about time. She’s working on a new album, and she’s about to join the D.C. road production of The Color Purple. Fantasia is ready to step back into the role of “Celie” during the three month stint.

Singer Regina Belle is sick, and she’s going to be sidelined for most of the year. Apparently, she is going to have to undergo a series of surgeries, and the recuperation time is long. Our prayers go out to Belle. She’s a wonderful singer and great lady.

Charlie Wilson of The Gap Band is opening up about his battle with prostate cancer. Wilson was diagnosed last fall, and he is currently in remission. He is urging men to get tested, and he’s working with the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Wilson’s new album, Uncle Charlie, comes out on February 17th.

Queen Latifah will be performing on the Oscars Sunday, February 22nd. She’ll be doing the memorial segment remembering those industry legends who have died in the past year.

Clay Aiken is getting a dream job. Aiken is going to serve as a guest judge on the 12th season of America’s Next Top Model.

Stevie Wonder is coming out with a live DVD. Stevie Wonder: Live From London arrives in stores March 10th.

The T.D. Jakes film Not Easily Broken starring Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson hits DVD shelves April 7th.

Seven Pounds starring Will Smith and Rosario Dawson will be released on DVD March 31st.

Tyler Perry’s new movie Madea Goes To Jail arrives in theatres on February 20th. Speaking of Tyler, he and Halle Berry will be the hosting The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards, which will air tonight, February 12th on FOX. Russell Simmons is getting the night’s big honor, the Vanguard Award, and Jennifer Hudson is leading the pack with seven nominations. Hudson is scheduled to perform that evening. Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali is getting the President’s Awards.

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, and will be seen locally on FOX 29.

The 15th Annual Essence Music Festival is set for July 3rd, 4th and 5th in New Orleans. Beyonce, John Legend, Eric Benet, Robin Thicke, Anita Baker and Maxwell are all on the bill. 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.